Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-11-23
A RUE sToRY.T
BY BAYARD B 7 lrrIAYLoR

uhhhAef auu ANHN FaeaNA ONNA hllpbaNANNA
and unknown TO all, except the immediate vicin-
ity, but for it's connection with the battle which
fifty years and one day before annihilated the
power Of Prussia. An account of it however,
was published in m0st Of the German news
papers aud this circumstancet the sequel OF the
story which am about TO relate was brought
on At the time the celebration took place,
was residing in GOtha, not more than fifty miles
from tho spot, and received the story almost in
the very words Of the chief actor in L. / hm
sorry that his name aud that Of the village, have
escaped my memory. All other particulars
made too deep an impression upon me to be
easily forgotten. El.L 8
We must first 90 bEck to tho l4th Of October,
1906 On that day the windy uplands north.
east OF Jena Witnessed the brief but terrible
combat, which resulted III the triumphant entry
of the French army into Berlin eleven days
after ard-during which time Prussia had lost
60, 900 men, 65 standards, and 600 cannon. A
portion Of the French army was encamped on
the battlefield, OF quartered 10 the village around.
The poor inhabitants, overwhelmed by this sud-
den avalanche of war upon their quiet felds--
where for bundled years or more, they had
reaped their harvest in peace submitted in
helpless apathy while their houses and lba ms
were plundered by the lawless soldie The
battle was over, but there was no lul in the
smoke which settled into the bosom of the deep
valleys as the raw October evening came on,
were heard 10 all directions shrieks OF fear yells
of rage or triumph, and cries Of pain or lamenta.
tion. s.
Davoust-the "Butcher OfHamburg,n = as the
Germans called him-took up his quarters for
the night ia one Of the most convenient and
comfortable houses which coul1 be found in the
neighborhood ofthe scene of slaughter. Here
he rapidly issued orders for the disposition of
the forces under his command, gave directions
for the morrow, and received reports from his
adjutants. He had taken his cloak, and was
about retiring to an inner chamber for Tepose,
when an officer entered "PardOn me, general
he sad, ''but there is a case which requires ats
tention. The German edndide must be taught
to respect us Ton soldiers of Company--oi
the Fourth Infantry, who quartered themselves
in the village OF Waldorf (let us ssy) have been
driven away by the people, and two or three oi
them are severely injured"
Davousts cold eye glittered, and his nous
tache curled like the lip Of a mastia, as he turn
ed, and halted moment at the dOorsOf the bed
room. 'Send lieutenant and twenty men to
the village pick out ten Of the vagabOnds and
shoot them down." was the brief order "Whert
is Waldorf he added, turning to one of thos'
useful creatures who are always willing to 40
as guides and interpreters for the enelay in thei
own land. tf- f.E.} H#iE
"There is village called Upper waldor
which lies near the head of small valley tC
the left; Middle WalJorfis on the other side o
the hill, and Lower WaldoIfabout half an hour
distance beyond. Z" .f1
The marshal, not caring to annoy himself By
more minute inquiries, went TO bed. IL tel
men were shot, that was sufficient.
The next morning, at sunrise, Lieutenan
Lamutte with twenty men marched over th'
trampled hills to seqk Waldorf. It was a dis
agreeable business and the sooner it was ove
the better. On reaching q ridge which over
looked the intersection OF two or three valleys
more than one village was visible through th'
cold fog now beginning to rise, "QVi est Wal
dOrt?n inquired the officer of the man whom he
had impressed by the way" Das," answered
the man, "ish ober Waldorf" pointing 20 villag
on the left. I'm apantlo And in fifteen min.
utes more she Frenchman marched into the lii
tie hamlet.
Halthing in an open space between tn
church and the two principal beer-houses, the OF
ficer summoned the inhabitants together. Th'
whole village was already awake, for few ha,
slept during the night Their ears, were still
stunned by the thunders Of yesterday, and vis
ions of burning and pillage still danced belor
their eyes. AT the command of the Lieutenant
the soldiers seized ell the male inhabitants, AM
forcibly placed them in line before him. Th
women and children waited near in terribl
, anxiety for no ono understood the words whic
were spoken, and these ominOus prep aration
led them to imagine the worst.
. At this juncture, the son Of the village pasto
: appeared upon the scene He was a younl
man of twenty, who was studying theology u
order TO become his fathers successor, an
aud fortunately had some knowledge Of Frencl
The appearance of things, without the cries an
: entreatieS Of the terrified people, told him thH
d his help was wanted. He Immediately Rd
/ dressed himself to Lieut. Lamotte, and begge
for an expiar ation of the proceedings.
= 81 am ordered TO punish this village" al
sweTed the latter, "fOr your treatment Of ou
soldiers last night The marshal orders tha
ten Of ycu must bs shot. The only thing chs
R | can do is, 20 allow you to draw lots anon
yourselves, or to point out those concerned
the outrage"
HBut," continued the young man, ''your ger
eral has been misinfOraed. No French soldier
}, have visited our village before you. We haS
/, truly been in great fear and anxiety the Who'll
night; but the valley is deep and tho yillaa
is parily concealed from view by the woods 0
the side There are also the villages of Midd
and Lower Waldorf which lie further down
:, the open valley. You can soon SATISFY YOU
self, sir, that this village Is entirely innOcen
aEe entIeat you not to shed the blood Of OF
harmless people"
q There is no time for investigation, " said Ii
officer. Il was ordered 70 proceed to Waldor
=. and am guided hither will wait till yc
make your choice Of ten to be sacrificed, II
have no authority to do more"
By this time the people had learned the iaI
in store for them. The women with tears an
: appealing gestures crowded around the ofic'
. begging him to spare their sons and husband
: tho nen stood silent, with bloodless faces o.
: dumb, imploring eyes, The scene was eviden
ly painfnl, both 10 the officer and the soldier
accustomed as they were TO this unmerciful cod
y Of war. They were anxious to put an end TO
A. aud leaveI but the cleFRyman's son, inspire
with the belief that the fate Of ten men reste
upou bis efforts continued TO urge his plea vii
4 Eenl and elOquence that would not be 81
4 aside. Lieut. LamQlts struggled awhile b
tween his sense Of duty and bis natural hnmal
ity, while the young advocate appealed 70 h
conscience and 10 the obedience which be ows
10 higher commander than Day0ust. Final
he consented to wait while a sergeant was di
y patched 10 head quarters, accompanied by
peasant TO show him the nearest way. A fe
lines hastily penoiled stated the facts in Ii
ease, and asked for further instructions. q
2 Meanwhile, the inhabitants waited. in a ste
Of suspense scarcely 10 be endured. Lspte
ant Lamotte who, az thorough Frenehma
j sooa weaTied Of painful emotion, aud aha
. log Il of at the risk Of appearing heartless
said; "The morning is keen, and q walk beto
sunrise doesn't diminish the appel tel can y
give US some relreShments from your hidd
suDplissl" At a word from the young ma
many Of the women brought together the coii
, they had prepared for their own breaktA