Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-12-02
Mist&llantons.
A TRUE STORY.

ton OF peculiar character was held IN
small village near Jena. 1t was an occa-
sion CT an entirely local nature, and might
have passed over unobserved and unknown
to all, except the immediate vicinity, but
for its connection with the battle which fifty
years and one day before annihilated the
power of Prussia. An account Of it how
ever, was published in most of the German
news papers and this circumstances the Sc
quel of the story which l am about to re-
late was brought on. AT the time the Gel
cbration took place, was residingin Gotha,
not more than fifty miles from the spot, and
received tho story almost in the very words
of the chief actor in it. | am sorry that
his name and that of the village, have es-
capped my memory. All other particulars
made too deep IAN impression upon me to be
easily forgotten.
We must first 90 back to the l4th Of Oc-
tobor, 1906. On that day the windy up
lands northeast of Jena witnessed the brief
but terrible combat which resulted in the
triumphant entry of the French army into
Berlin eleven daysafterward-du Turing which
time Prussia had lost 10000 men, 65 stand
ards, and 600 cannon. A portion of the
French army was encamped on the battle
field, 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 harvests in peace
submitted in hel pless apathy while their
houses and barns were plundered by the
lawless soldiery. The battle was over, but
there was no lull in the blast of ruin
Through the clouds Of cannon smoke which
settled into the bosoms 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 "Butcher of Hamburg" as
the Germans called him-took up his quar-
ters for the night in one of the most con-
venient and comfortable houses which could
be found in the neighborhood of the scene
of slaughter Here he rapidly issued or
ders for the disposition of the forces under
his command gave directions for the NOR
row, and received reports from his adjutants
He had taken his cloak, and was about re
firing to an inner chamber for repose, whel
an officer entered. "Pardon me General,
he said, "but there is case which requires
} attention. The German can0He must bc
taught to respect US. Ten soldiers of com
pany-of the Fourth Infantry, whoquar
tered themselves in the village of Waldorf
(let US say) have been driven away by the
people, and two or three of them are severe
ly injured"
Davouscscold eye glittered, and his nous
tache curled lipe the lip of mastif, as hc
turned and halted moment at the door o.
the bedroom. "Send lieutenant anC
twenty men to the village, pick out ten o
the vagabonds and shoot them down " wa.
the brief order, "Where is Waldorf" h,
added, turning to one of those useful crea
lures who are always willing act as guide
and interpreters for the enemy in their owl
land.
"There is village called Upper Wal
dorf which lies near the head of a small val
lev to the left; Middle Waldorf is on tn,
) other side of the hill, and Lower Waldor
about half an hours distance beyond"
The Marshal, not caring to annoy himsel
by more minute inquiries, went to bed.
| ten men were shot, thatwas sufficient.
|. The next morning at sunrise, Lieut.. La
t motto with twenty men marched over th
trampled hills to seek Waldorf 1t was
u disagreeable business, and the sooner it wa
: over, the better Onreaching ridge whic
. . overlooked the intersection of two or thrC
valleys, moro than one village was visib
$ through the cold fog now beginning to ris
g "Qm est Waldorf2' inquired the officer
the man whom he had impressed by tt
# way. "Das," answered the man, "ish oJC
,f Waldorf" pointing to village on the lef
n "E'n Auant" And in fifteen minute
more the French marched into the litt
: 9 hamlet.
o Hating in an open space between tf
church and the two principal beer house
G the officer summoned the inhabitants t
q q gether. The whole village was alread
ID awake, for few had slept during the nigh
Their ears were still stunned by the thu
a n ders of yesterday, and visions of burniu
ID and pillage still danced before their eyes,
At the command of the lieutenant the SC
L, diers seized all the male inhabitants, ar
ne forcibly placed them in line before him.
The women and children waited near
IS terrible anxiety, for no one understood Il
words that were spoken, and these .omino
o. preparations led them to imagine the wor
n At this juncture, the son of the villal
Of Of pastor appeared upon the scene. He wa,
Young man of twenty, who was studyil
IL theology in order to become his fathe
,a9E successor, and fortunately had some know
edge of French. Theappearance of thin.
IN without the cries and entreaties of the Ter
ed fed people, told him that his help "
700 wanted. He Immediately addressed hi
of of self to Lieut.. Lamotte, and begged for
explanation of the proceedings.
r. ~ am ordered to punish this village" {
"g swered the latter, "for your treatment of {
~ soldiers last night. The marshal ord
as, that ten of you must be shot. The OF
as thing that can do is, to allow you to dr.
%. lots among yourselves, or to point out th'
Q q concerned in the outrage"
"But," continued the young man, 'y'
m general has been misinformed. No Frer
!sl Sn soldiers have visited our village before y
the We have truly been in great fear and an,
. ty the whole night; but the valley is Dc
s sin and the village is partly concealed fir
der view by the woods on the side. There
ara also the villages of Middle and Lower W