Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-12-16
VOL. XIII.
Il TRUE STORY.
BY BAYARD TAYLOR,

| tirely local nature, and might have passed owe
unobserved and unknown to all, except the i'm
mediate vicinity, but for its connection witt
the battle which fifty years and one day befor
annihilated the power of Prussia. An accouB
of it however, was published in most of tht
German newspapers aud this circumstance the
sequel of the story which am about to relate
was brought on. At the time the celebration
took place, l was residing in Gotha, no
more than fifty miles from the spot, and receiv
ed the story almost in the very words of the
chief actor in it. l am sorry that his name
and that of the village have escaped my mem
ory. All other particulars made too deep an
impression upon me to be easily forgotten.
We must first go back to the 14th of Octo
Der, 1906. On that day the windy upland;
northeast of Jena witnessed the brief but ter
rible combat, which resulted in the triumph
ant entry of the French army into Berlin clever
| days afterward-during which time Prussia
had lost 10000 men, 65 standards, and 60C
cannon. A portion of the French army was
encamped on the battle field, or quartered in
the village around, The poor inhabitants
overwhelmed by this sudden avalanche of wal
upon their quiet felds-where for a hundred
years or mere, they had reaped their harvest
| in peace-subniitted in helpless apathy while
their houses and barns were plundered by the
| lawless soldiefy The battle was over, but
! there was no lull in the blast of ruin. Through
the clouds of cannon smoke which settled into
the bosom of the deep valleys as the raw Oc-
! tober evening came on, were heard in all di-
rections shrcks of fear, yells OF rage or triumph
and cries of main or lamentafiOn.
Dayoust--the Butcher of Hamburg as
the Germans called him-took up his quarters
for the night in one of the most convenient
in the neighborbood of the scene of slaughter.
Here he rapidly issued orders for the disposi-
ton of the forces under his command, gave di-
rections for the morrow, and received reports
from his adjutants. He had taken his cloak,
and was about retiring to an inner chamber
for repose, when an officer entered. pardon
me, general he said, "but there is case
which requires attention. The German cdaaille
must be taught to respect us. Ten soldiers of
Company of the Fourth Infantry. who
quaT tered themselves in the village of Waldorf
(Iet us say) have been driven away by the peo-
pie, and two or three of them are severely in
jured."
Davousts S cod eye glittered, and his nous
tache cured like the lip off mastiff, as he turn
ed, and halted moment at the door of the
bedroom. Send lieutenant and twenty men
to the village, pick out ten of the vagabonds
and shoot them down. was the brief order
"Where is Waldorf?" he added, turning to
one of those useful creatures who are always
willing to act as guides and Interpreters for
the enemy in their own land
There is a village called Upper Waldorf
which lies near the head of small valley to
the left Middle Waldorf is on the other side
of the hill, and Lower Waldorf about half an
hours dist ance beyond
The marshal hot caring to annoy hinlselfby
more minute inquiries went to bed. l. ten
men were shot, that was sufficient.
The next morning, at sunrise, Lieutenant
Iamotte with twenty men marched over the
tramp!ed hills to seek Waldorf 1t was dis
agreeable business, and the sooner it was over
the better. On reaching a lidge which over
looked the intersection of two or three valleys,
more than one village was visible through the
cold fog now beginning TO rise "Qni ea
UIaidorJ?" inquired the officer of the man
whom he impressed by the way. 'DaS, an
swered the man, .sist ober Haldrot," pointing
to village on the left. "En aUdnt!" And
in fifteen minutes more the Frenchman march
cd into the little hamlet.
Hating in an open space between the church
and the two principal beer-houses, the officer
summoned the inhabitants together. The
whole village was already awake for few had
slept during the night. Their ears were still
stunned by the thunders of yesterday, and
visions of burning aud pilage still danced be-
fore their ewes. At the command of the
lieutenant, the soldiers seized all the male in
habitants. and forcibly placed them in a line
before him. The women and children waited
near in terrible anxiety for no one understood
the words which were spoken, and these omin-
Gus preparations led them to imagine the
worst.
At this iuncture. the son of the village pas
tor appeared upon the scene. He was young
man of twenty, who was studying theology in
order to become his fathers successor, and for
tunately had some knowledge of French. The
appearance of things, without the cries and en-
treaties of the terrified people, told him that
his help was wanted. He Immediately ad-
for an explanation of the proceedings.
Il am ordered to punish this village an
swered the latter, ''for your treatment Of our
soldiers last night. The marshal orders that
ten of you must be shot. The only thing that
can do is, to allow you to draw lots among
yourselves, or to point out those concerned in
the outrage"
But continued the young man, "your gen.
eral has been misinformed. No French SOL
diers have visited our village before you. We
have truly been in great fear and anxiety the
whole night but the valley is deep and the
village is partly concealed from view by the
woods ON the side. There are also the villages
of Middle and Lower Waldorf, which lie fur
ther down in the open valley. You can soon
satisfy yourself sir, that this village is entirely
| innocent; and | entreat you not to shed the
blood of our harmless people,
/ There is no time for investigation" said
the officer. 81 was ordered to proceed to Wal
dorf, and am guided hther. / will wait till
you make your choice of ten to be sacrificed,
but have no authority to do more"
By this time the people had learned the fate
! in store for them. The women with tears and
! appealing gestures crowded around the officer
begging him to spare their sons and husbands;
the men stood silent with bloodless faces and
dumb, mploring eyes. The scene was evident
ly painful, both to the officer and the soldiers
accustomed as they were to the unmercifu
code of war. They were anxious to put an
end to it and leave; but the clergyman's son
inspired with the belief that the fate of ter
men rested upon his efforts, continued to urge
his plea with zeal and eloquence that would
not be set aside. Lieut.. Lamotte struggled
awhile between his sense of duty and his nat
ural humanity, while the young advocate ap
pealed to his conscience and to the obedience
which he owed to higher command than Da
| ba ad 4o1 D.,