Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-06-14
STAUNTON SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER.

| :. HE FRENCH ARMY.-In letter from Mr.
ITrowbridge, of New Haven, in the New Haven
Register, about his passage over Mt. Gents with
party of American ladies, we have the follow.
ing: ~.
At Susa sublime scene awaited us.
immediately in the large open space in rear of
the depot, 5000 of the French Army arrived
during the evening" some actively preparing to
take Gas many as could the cars. A wilder
midnight scene can hardly be imagined Camp
fires, with their dark line of smoke throwing
lurid lights upon the immense hosts; the sound.
ing OF bugles, the hurrying to and fro of officers,
the columns marching, was scene long to be
remembered. For two hours we were in the
midst of all this, occupying, in common with Of
ficers and soldiers, the cafe attached to the de-
pot, from the door of which we looked out upon
the army, occupying even to the spot where we
stood, and by which they marched to the cars,
sixty five of which, drawn by three engines took
their departure while we waited.
1t is strange what perfect sense of security
we felt surrounded by three regiments of SOL
diers. They were under the most perfect disci-
pine. Not word was uttered that could of
TEND the most susceptible. The officers were
extremely polite, even amidst all the stern du-
ties devolving upon them under such circumstan.
ces, never passing the ladies of our party with.
out polite salutation. They, with their men.
were in high spirits, and although having endur,
ed a march of 80 miles across Mount Gents since
4 A. NJ, appeared fred with high enthusiasm
for the fight. At2 a. M. we took the Diligence,
six in our party, Major Frankyn, of the Indian
army, of whom have in private letter spoken,
being the sixth.
We commenced the ascent with 10 mules at
tached to the Diligence-the night very dark,
with dense clouds and rolling thunder. At 8
A. NJ. we were we'll towards the summit in the
midst of heavy snow storm, the mountain be-
ing entirely covered with it.
At A. NJ, we met the advance guard of the
French, and soon the main body were in sight,
the columns marching at ease, that is, each man
allowed to march and carry his musket in the
easiest way to him.
Before we arrived at the foot of the mountain
we had passed through over 10000 soldiers of
the empire. For two hours they were marching
through peltiDg snow storm. Iss
Was it not an inspiring sight, then, in the Pass
of the Alps, to encounter the French legions,
fired with zeal, with their eagles at their heads,
anxious again to meet their old enemy of the |
fields of Marengo and Lodi2 What strange
circumstance that we should have been permit |
ted to witness the sublime sight We were
passing through their columns constantly for six
hours. The world has never seen such rapidty
Of movements as has been exhibited by Napole-
on in bringing on to the field of action his le-
gons-occupying in their transit the sea, the
passes of the Maritime Alps, aud the pass of
Mount GEMS.
The resources of the empire are seen in such |
movements, and the enthusiasm and devotion of
the army to the Emperor cannot be mistaken,
in their vivas for the empire and the Emperor,
constantly uttered by the advancing army, At |
the distance you are from the army, you might !
easily imagine danger in passing through such
legions of armed men; but, assure You, there
was not a single occurrence--even among the
wild midnight scene at Susa, or passing through
The hosts on the Alps-whioh could have agita-
ted the nerves of the most timid.
The shouts of joy, as our ladies waved their
to the passing columns, showed
hat grim war had net altogether bllpted their
liner sensibiities, and now end then some par
ocular expression of joy at being noticed, from
these devoted men, could but carry our thoughts |
to the homes they had left-many of them for
,ver-and to the grey haired sires and mothers,
md to wonder when the time would arrive when
war shall cease, and the ''sword shall be turned
INTO plough-shares." / am SO rejoiced that we
lid not listen to the croskings of the timid and
20 by the way of Marseilles, for we have had
picture pass In view that can never be etfaced
rom onr memorv