The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-12-10
DiseeIIaqccps.
A True Story.
BY BAYARD TAYLOR,


On the 18th of October, 1856, celebra-
ton OF peculiar character was held in
small village near Jena. 1t was an occa-
sion of an entirely local nature, and might
havo passed over unobserved and IN.
Known to all, except the immediate vicin-
lty, but for its connection with the battle
which fifty years and one day before, an
INITIATED the power of Prussia. An ac-
count of it, however, was published in
most of the German newspapers, and BY
this circumstance, the sequel of the story l
am about to relate was brought on. At the
time the celebration took place, was re-
s'Stng in IIatbsJ mob sooSe- than RGfs, s.ailas
from the spot, and received the story al
most in the very words of the chief actor
init. l am sorry that his name and that
OF ne village, have escaped my memory.
ALL other particulars made too deep an
impression upon me to be easily forgot
ten.
We Ienst first go back to the 18th of
October, a8O6. On that day the windy
uplands neHheast of Jena witnessed the
bret but terrible combat, which resulted
In the Triumphant entry of the French
army into Bef1n eleven days afterward,
during which time Prussia had lost 10000
men, IS standards, and 600 cannon. A
portion of the French army was encamp-
ed on the battlefield, or duartered in the
village around. The poor inhabitants.
overwhelmed by this sudden avalanche
OF war upon their quiet fields-where for
hundred years or more they had reaped
their harvest in peace-submtted in
helpless apathy while their houses and
barns were plundered by the lawless SOL
diery. 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 October evening came on, were heard
IN all directions shrieks of fear, yells Of
rage or triumph, and cries of pain or lam
entation.
Davoust-the Butcher of Hamburg
as the Germans called him-took up his
quarters in one of the most convenient
and comfortable houses which could BIZ
found in the neighborhood of the scene
of the slaughter. Here he rapidly issued
orders for the disposition of the force:
under his command, gave directions 70,
the morrow, and received reports from his
adIatants. He had taken his cloak, and
was about retiring to an inner room for re.
pose, when an officer entered. "Pardor
me, general" he said, "but there is q
case which requires attention. The Ger.
man caHeiRe must be taught to respect us
Ten soldiers of Company of the
Fourth Infantry, who quartered them.
selves in the village of Waldorf (let M
say) have been driven away BY tho people
and two or three are severely iniured.n
Davousps cold eye glittered, and hi.
moustache carried like the lip of mastiff
as he Turned, and halted moment at the
door OF the bedroom "Seud a lieuten.
ant and twenty men to the village, pick
out ten of the vagabonds, and shoot them
down." was the brief order. "Where i:
Waldorf" he added, turning to one Of
those useful creatures who are ALWAYS
willing to act as guides and interpreter.
for the enemy In their own land.
"Tnera va village called Upper Wal.
dorf which lies near the head of a small
valley to the left; Middle Waldorf is OF
tie other side of the hill, and Lower Wal.
dorf about half an hours distance be.
yond."
The marshal not caring to annoy him.
self BY more minute inquiries, went to
bed. If ten men were shot, that wa.
sufficient.
The next morning, at sunrise, Lieuten.
ant Lamotte with twenty men marched
over the trampled hills to seek Waldorf
II was disagreeablc business, aud the
sooner it was over, the better. On reach
Tug tiage which overlooked the intersec.
ns 'lon Of two or three valleys, more thar
one village was visible through the cold
iog now beginning to rise. SOU est Wal.
oog - inquired the officer of the mar
. wnom he had impressed by the way
Das," answered the man, ''ish o5er Val.
aog" pointing to village on the left
"Eh Arant!" And in fifteen minutes
more the Frsnchmau marched into the
little hamlet
batting in an open space between the
church and the two principal beer houses,
the officer summoned the inhabitants to.
gether. The whole village was already
I awake, for few had slept during the night.
Their ears were still stunned by the thun-
ders OF yesterday, and visions of burning
and pillage still danced before their eyes.