The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-04-27
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TRaGABD.
4 SOUVENIR OF THE RETREAT FROM
MOSCOW

On the 18th Of October, 1872, Napoleon,
accompanied by the prince d'Eekmuhl, better
known as Marshal Dayeust, commanding the
first division, 9 1mmenced that eventful retreat
from Moscow, so disastrous to the immense ar
my that had followed him. At the close of a
march that had been rendered more difficult
by the state of the roads and continued rain,
the Emperor arrived on the 23d at BoroTsk,
and there passed. the night. The next morn
ing, while indicating the order of march
to gain Mareo-Jaroslayitz, where he depended
on making some stay, he handed that, at the
distance of four leagues before him, the Del
zian division. under the prince Eugene, had
found that village, with the surrounding woods
and heights, proccupied. This was an impor-
tant position to maintain; for the Russian gen.
eral, Kutusoff, who marched parallel with the
French army might possibly seize on it, and thus
cut off the route to Kalouga. Wishing to as
sure himself of the taking possession OF this
point, the Emperor rode to fife quarter from
whence it was expected the Russian general
would make the attack; and, despite of the tor
rents Of rain, TRANQUILITY examined the ground
which might ere long become a field of battle.
Suddenly the sound of brisk firing struck on
his ear He became restless; and, pressing his
horse, ascended hillock to reeonnoitre, but
the belt of wood intercepted any extended view.
"Can the Russians have been beforehand
with us?" demanded he of Da<oust, who had
not quilted his side. 1--WE have not marched
quick enough. should not wish to repass the
left wing of Kutuzoff."
Sire" replied the prince d'Eckmuhl, 'eper-
haps, in the moneuvre prescribed by your
majesty, the troops may have manifested lit
tie of that dullness which usually accompa-
nies great fatigue"
"Befeve you so, Monsieur lie Marshall
Nevertheless, we have already passed more
than six leagues"
ait is true, Sire but Moscow is not more than
one hundred and sixty versts from Marco-Jar-
oslavitz. Four days march sufficient to
clear that distance, and this is our sixth day.
Kutusoff has been in advance of us.
at is then battle" said Napoleon, inipa-
tiently, as the cannon were heard more distinct
ly, and seemed to be approaching. "Go, Da-
voust, GO; quicken youi troops, and infuse
| little more spirit into them for we must act
now-not to conquer, but solely to preserve" !"
Notwithstanding the haste with which the
marshal executed the orders of the emperor,
he did not arrive on the serve of the action un-
til the success of the French troops had been
assured. However, the combat ragged with
fury at the extremity of the village, and when
the second division of the first corps, command
ed by General Fryant, attempted to take pos
session of one of the heights, the Russian
cannon played upon them with redoubled vigor.
Davoust Immediately dispatched one of his
aides-de-camp, the Colonel Koblenski. to Prince
Eugene; but in traversing the line, that officer
was struck by bullet, which shattered his
thigh, and instantly fell from his horse.
On the night of that brilliant combat the
Prince dEckmuhl was still uncertain of the
fate of his aide-de-camp, and sought him on
the field of battle, which presented most hor-
rible spectacle. Delzon and his brother gener-
al had also fallen while leading the last attack.
While sadly thinking on the blighted hopes of