Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-08-04
Written for the Marshall Co. Republican !
i 8 Z = - foN
RETREAT FROM MOSCOW,
By MAJOR JOHN F. rAxcESrArsu, SEN.

Inc hhsslans slowly fvuoHcd, keeping up their
firing all the way; they now seemed to concentrate
their strength. preparatory king general on
set But As sooa as they howcsl themselves in full
column we salutcd them With ds Charge of artl-
lcry, which scattered death among them by hun
dreds. The ground shook. the air cracked and
seemed on fire; smoke and darkness drew i'm
penctrable veil over US all. The enemy speedily
filed up the gaps made i'm his lines md pressed res.
olutcly onward. a second discharge again check
ed his force, but still new m,ssess were coming up
behind; he h,d substitutes for his dead and fallen
for he fought with thousands. and seemed determin-
ed TO obtain possession of the village. cost what it
would. Larush, Boles, Lesrand, Rosen and nv
self, served gun together. The conflict length
somewhat essened, and we hoped that soon it would
cease. Suddenly crash was heard like the shock
of an earthquake, followed by a scream of pan.-
A cannon ball had struck the carriage ofa gun, and
shattered both of Lcsrnd's thighs. This was the
last shot that the enemy fired. We took him up
and carried him behind the hill towards the village,
when the ptlc youth cx :laimcd faintly: sLay me
down. beg ofyou.'',.IT s..f -, .t
''Do as he wishes" said Larush in low voice,
shaking his head, as ii TO intimate that no care
could save him. Wo laid the wounded man care
fully on the ground. Larush kneclcd down by his
head, anil took him half sitting gently into his
arms. Bocs seized the right hand of his expiring
friend-Lcgrand was n nephew of Larush's, and
cousin to Bolcs. 'You are all near me-" said the
dying man, with friendly smile ON his lips 81
die slorionsly," he continued in a few moments,
forcing himself more erect; "you must not ,rieve
for me. die IN honorable death in the arms Of
my iricnds"' a noble pride suliused his pilid
checks with tinge, and his courageous spirit
shonc forth once more from his eyes. Il die con
tented, he added more plaintively, 'Bocs, my
friend, my broter..' Saving this, he pressed the
hand Of his kneclins comr.de with fcrvor, for his
thoughts reverted to the image of his only sister
AWAY. He tl,cn leaned his head upon Larusl'.
tatherly breast and expired.
..rhc Lord receive his soul.'' uttered L,rl.h,
viii, grave composurc. laying his hlnds as if in
bencdiclion on the head of the deceased lie then
turned to Us and said: ave are happy in not being
'oliigcd to leave these rem Tins in tue wilderness.
Aght il coming on. We mast endcavor to reach
the shelter which he been dearly purclr,sed; !;
and there he shall be burieJy' lie pointed with
his finger toward, M-lcicezno. which the troop
were now filling back, since the enemy, foiled by
our iliomitablc courage, had finally relinquishcd
their undertaking. The cold increased more and
more as the sun went down. Our arms, with the
SD burthcn, stficned even in passing this short
distance. Nothing shor. Of the most lialloxcd and
devoted friendship, could have imposed upon us
this last tribute of affection; h,d it been for ay
one else, 1t would have rem lined unpercormeI-
But we elected fresh strength from our affection
FOR the dead. With much effort we reached small
housc, which stood aside from the main road, a.
long which the masses, in tunultuous crowds,
pouring into the village. We unexpectedly found
here an Inhabited dwelling. An old man opened
the door for US, and approached US with supplica-
ting gestures Iarsh called ont to him: as there
room in thy cott,gc7" "Oh certainly the old
MN replied, rcjoiccd to hear his own language
spokcn 81 sall be glad to take you into nv house
All beg of you is not to drive me out of it nv
sclfon this bitter winters night. Grant me place
wl'ercon to lay my grey head.'' '.Do<t thou think
we are monsters?" said Larush. "1hou hast no.
IN ng to fear" "Thcn the Lord reward you,"
cried the old IN shut yesterday they drove out
my son and my little grand children, who pcrished
before my closed door. Alas. have their dead
bodies in my cottage now.' I'VE also bring thee
dead BODY" said Larush ''his sacred remains
are as dear to our own lives Wilt thou swear
to us by our Holy Mother Mary, to give him
Christian and decent buriall promise to protect
thee and thine house as long as We shall abide with
thee" '.Iswear it by the ever blessed Mother of
God, that he shall rest by the side of my own chill
drcn.' said the old man, at the same time Iftin.
u? his hanls towards heaven to witness his oath.
bring your dead in here. gentlemen" said the
o.d man. going before US with a light and opening
a side door, IN the cottage. which gave adlnittarce
TO Il SIN al room. On pallet of straw, covered
with white sheet, lay dead man, cnvclopel in
shroud; he WIS in the prime of life. but looked to
have been sickly. Beside him lay two little girls,
at the most seven eight years of age. Ruscn
and myself Carried in the corpse of Lcgrand, and
laid it down revcrcr.tly by the side of the sleeping
little ones. sd, You see, dear sirs,'' sa id the old
MN, yesterday, no longer than yesterday, the
children were as fresh as two rose buds-;he father
bad been ailins ever since last spring-whcn bis
pardon me for not speaking about IN 1t.
10, not tr,t Ycsterd,y such-a number of sol.
diers crowded in and took possession of my house,
tn, they h,d no room-.hey drove Us outside. 1t
is true they were in bad plight cnough but still
they might haze allowed us some nook to crouch
in. We passed the night under the bare heavens
my son. already weakened BY disease. could not
endure the bitter cold Icoud not keep the little
ones from falling asieep-thcy expired in nay arms
would gladly have laid down and died too-but
have yet another daughterit is for her sake that
l still live. But she is at present in WiInt-''-
While the Old man was pouring forth the sorrows
of his heart, we had adjusted Legrand's garments
and hair, and covered his remains with large
cloak, so as to keep the shattered limbs and clot
ted blood out of sight. When this had been done,
he looked like person sum5crins-so calm. ear
nest and noble were his features even in death.
Let him rest herc,' said Lsrush, sorrowfully;
chs image is treasured within hearts in lively,
dignfcd characters Let US preserve it so; 1t is
not best to tarry'too long," e
Pursuant to this wish. We all stepped back into
the other apartment, where we were welcomed BY
warm. life restoring atmosphere. cheerful FIRE
blazcd on the hearth. and dffnscd warmth, through