Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-03-09
MISCELLA ANY.
A True Story.
By BAYARD TAYLOR.

On the 18th of October, 1856, celebra-
ton of peculiar character, was held in a
small village near jena 1t was an occa-
sion of 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
newspapers, and TO this circumstance the
sequel of the story which i am about to re-
late was brought out. AT the time at which
the celebration took place, was residing
in Goiha, not more than fifty miles from the
spot, and received the story in almost the
very words of the chief actor in it. j am
sorry that his name and that of the village
have escaped my memory. All other par
ticulars made too deep an impression upon
me to be easily forgotten.
We must first go back to the l4th of DC
tQber, 1906. On that day the windy up
lands northeast of Jena witnessed the bIiet
but terrible combat, which resulted in the
triumphant entry of the whoi' body Of the
French army into Berlin eleven days af-
terward-during which time Prussia had
lost 10000 men. 65 standards, and 60O0
cannon. A portion of the French army
was encamped on the battlefield, or quar-
tered in the village around. The poor in-
habitants, overwhelmed by this sudden av-
alanche of war upon their quiet fields,
where for hundred years or more they
had reaped their harvests in peace, submit
ted with helpless 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 bosom of the deep valleys as the
raw October evening came on, were heard
shrieks of fear, yels of rage or triumph,
and cries of pain or lamentation.
Davoust-the +" Butcher of Hamburg"
as the Germans called him-took up his
quarters for the night in one of the most
convenient and comfortable houses which
could be found in the neighborhood of the
scene of slaughter. Here he rapidly issued
orders for the disposition of the forces un-
der his command, gave directions for the
morrow, and received reports from his ad-
lutants. He had taken his cloak and was
about retiring TO an inner chamber for re-
pose, when an officer entered. " Pardon
me, General" he said, "but there is case
which requires attention. The German
candiUe must be taught TO respect us. Ten
soldiers of Company - of the Fourth
Infantry, who quartered themselves in the
village of Waldorf (et us say) have been
driven away by the people, and two or three
of them are severely injured"
Davoust's cold eye glittered, and his NOUS
tach curled like the lip of masliff, as he
halted moment at his bedroom door.
"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 al
ways willing to act as guides and interpret
ers for the enemy in their own land.
"There is village called Upper Waldorf
which lies near the head of a small valley
to the left: Middle Waldorf is on the other
side of the hill; and Lower Waldorf about
half an hours distance beyond"
The marshal, not caring TO annoy him
self by more minute inquiries, went TO bed.
If ten men we're shot that was sufficient.
The next morning at sunrise, Lieutenant
Lamotie. with twenty men. marched over
the trampled hills to seek Waldorf,
II was disagreeable business, and the
sooner it was over the better. On reach
inc n ridge which overlooked the intersec-
tion of two or three valleys, more than one
village was visible through the cold fog now
becinning TO rise. sou est Waldorf IN
duired the officer of the man whom he had
impressed by the way. "Das, answered
the man, Ssh Ober Waldorf, pointing to a
village on the left. ''En avant J" And IN
fifteen minutes more the Frenchman march
ed into the little hamlet.
Hating in an open space between the
church and the two principal beer houses,
the officer summoned the Inhabitants to-
rether. The whole village was already
awake. for few had slept during the night
their ears we're still stunned by the thun-
ders of yesterday, and visions of burning
and pillage still danced before their eyes
/ AT the command Of the lieutenant, The sol
diers seized all the male inhabitants, and
forcibly placed them in line before him.