Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-12-31
NJ | S & L i L A N Y.
A TRUE STORY.
ny BAYARD TAYLOR.

On the 10th of October, 1856, celebration
Of peculiar character was held in small vii
lage near Jena. 1t was an occasion of an en-
tirely local nature, and might have passed over
unobseryed and unknown to all, except the i'm
mediate vicinity, but for its connection with the
battle which fifty years and ono day before, an
initiated the power of Prussia. An account of
it however, was published in most of the Ger
man newspapers and this circumstance the So
quel of the story which l am about to relate
was brought on. At the time the celebration
took place, was residing in Gatha, not more
than fifty miles from the spot and received the
story almost in the very words of the chief ac-
tor in it. | am sorry that his name and that of
the village, have escaped my memory. All
other particulars made too deep an impression
upon me to be easily forgotten.
We must go back to the l4th of October,
1906. On that day the windy uplands north
east of Jena witnessed the brief but terrible
combat, which resulted in the triumphant entry
of the French army into Berlin eleven DAYS at-
terwards-during which time Prussia had lost
10000 men, Gj standards, and 600 cannon. A
portion of the French army was encampcd on
the battlefield, or quartered in the villages
around. The poor inhabitants, overwhelmed
by this sudden avalanche of war upon their
quiet fieds-where for hundred years or more
they had reaped their harvest in peace--sub-
mtted in helpless apathy while their houses and
barns were plundered by the lawess soldiery.
The battle was over, but there was no ull in
the blast of ruin. Through the clouds of can
non smoke which settled into the bosom of the
deep valleys as the raw October evening came
on were heard in all directions shrieks of fear
yells Of rage or triumph and cries of pain or
lamentation. Davoust--the "Butcser of Ham,
burg" as the Germans called him-topk up his
g. 81 L.. r.l...
venient and comfortable houses which could be
found in the neighborhood of the 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. lie had taken his
cloak and was about retiring to an inner cham
ber for repose, when an officer entered. "Par-
don me, general" he said, "but there is case
which requires attention. II German caaaiU.
must be taught to respect us. Ten soldiers o
Company -- of the Fourth Infantry, who
quartered themselves in the village of Waldorf
(let us say) have been driven away by the peo.
pie, and two or three of them are severely in
jured.'
Davoust's cold eye glittered, and his nous
tache curled like the lip of mastiff as he turn
ed, halted u moment at the door of the bed
room. "Send lieutenant and twenty men tC
the village, pick out ten of the vagabonds ant
shoot them down" was the brief order. "Wherl
is Waldorf?' he added, turning to one of those
useful creatures who are always willing to ac
as guides and interpreters Tor the enemy in thei
own land.
There is village called Upper Waldorf whicl
lies near the head of a small valley to the left
Middle Waldorf is on the other side of the hill
and Lower Waldorf about half an hours dis
tance beyond"
hal, Ill l.,
more minute inquiries, went to bed. If tel
men were shot, that was sufficient.
The next morning, at sunrise, Lieutenant La
motte with twenty men marched over the tram
| pied hills to seek Waldorf 1t was a disagree
able business, and the sooner it was over tn
better. On reaching ridge which overlooked
the intersection of two or three valleys, NOR
than one village was visible through the col,
fog now beginning to rise. "Qm est Waldorf?
inquired the officer of the man whom he ha'
impressed by the way. "Dds," answered tn
man. "ish ober Waldorf" pointing to a villag
on the left. "En duaW" And in fifteen min
utes more the Frenchman marched into the lit
tie hamlet.
Hating in an open space between the churc
and the two principal beer-houses, the Office
summoned the inhabitants together. The Who'll
village was already awake, for few had slep
during the night. Their ears were still stunne
by the thunders of yesterday, and visions q
burning and pillage still danced before thei
eyes. At the command of the lieutenant, tn
soldiers seized all the male inhabitants, and foi
chilly placed them in line before them. Th
women and children awaited near in terribl
anxiety for no one understood the words whic
were spoken, and these ominous preparation
led them to imagine the worst.
At this juncture the son of the village paste
appeared upon the scene. He was a young ma
of twenty, who was studying theology in orde
to become his fathers successor, and fortunatel
had some knowledge of French The appear
ance of things, without the cries and entreatie
of the terrified people, told him that his hel
was wanted. He Immediately addressed hin
self to Lieut.. Lamotte, and begged for an ca
planation of the proceedings.
81 am ordered to punish this village" ar
swered the latter, "for your treatment of ou
soldiers last night. The marshal orders thu
ten of you must be shot. The only thing thu
can do is to allow you to draw lots anon
yourselves, or to point out those concerned
the outrage"