The hydraulic press., 1860-11-03
LAST CHARGEsOF TIE OLD GUARD
AT WATERLOO.

Alate French work cositafss the following
grad descriptioneof the ltst desperate charge
of Napoleon 'ssOld Guard, under Ney, at 'the
'battle of WateSloo:
During the dsy, the artillery of the Guard
maintained itssold rene'wn, and the Guard
itself had freleently Esen used to restore
'the battle on various parts OF the field, and
always with success. The English were fast
becoming exhausted, and in an hour would
have been forced into disastrous retreat.
but for the timely arrival of Dlucher. But
when they saw him, with 10000 Prussians,
approaching, their courage revived, while
Napoleon was filled with amazement. A
beaten enemy about to form junction with
the allies, while Grouchy, who had been sent
tie Keep him in check, was nowhere to be
seen-was cause for alarm and mortifcarion.
Alas, what great plans traitor or 'aI inefi-
,cient commando mar overthrow
an.a menaeat Napoleon saw that he could
mot sustain the attack of so many fresh
troops, if once allowed to form junction
with the allied forces and he determined
to -staSe his fate on one bold cast, and endea-
vor to pierce the allied center with grand
charge of the Old Guard, and thus place
himself between the two armies. For this
purpose the Imperial Guard was called up
add divided into two immense coluTans
which were to meet in the Eaglish center
That under Reille no sooner encountered the
enemy's FIRE than it disappeared like mist.
The other column was commanded by Ney,
who gave the order to advance. Napoleon
accompanied it part ef the way down the
slope, aud hating a few moments in the
hollow, addressed them. He told them that
the battle rested with them-that he relied
entirely on their valcr, which had been tried
on so many 6elds. "Five l'Empereurl !" was
she shouted response, which was heard fat
above the roar of the artillery.
The whole cootinectal struggle exhibited
NO sublimer spectacle than the last effort of
Napoieo0 to save his sinking empire. The
greatest military skillth world ever posses
sed had been taxed to sse utmost during the
day. Thrones were toJtering on the doubt
full issues of fearfullS contested field, and
the shadows of fugitive kings fitted through
tie smoke of the Geld of battle. Napoleon S
star trcmbled in the zenith-now blazing
out in all its ancient splendor-now paling
behind the ominous mists which threatened
to obscure it in an oblivion of eternity. The
iatense anxiety with which he watched the
advance of that column, and the terrible
suspense he endured when the smoke hid
the battle from his view, and then the utter
despair of his great heart, when the curtain
lifted over fugitive army, and the despair
ingshriek rang out, "The Old Guard recoils! !!
makes US for moment forget all thoughts
of the carnage, in sympathy for his distress
The Old Guard felt the immense response
bility devolving upon it, and resolved not te
prove unworthy of its former well-earned
fame. Nothing could be more imposing
than its movement to the assault. 1t hac
never before recciled in presence of human
foe, and the allied forces beheld with awe
Its firm and steady advance to the charge
For moment the guns stopped playing, ant
the firing ceased on the English line, as
without the beating of drum or bugl,
hote to cheer their courage, they moved il
dead silence over the field. Their tread wa
like muf1ed thunder, while the dazzling
hemlets Of the euirassiers flashed long line
of light upon the dark and terrible mass tha
swept ia one strong wave along. The sterl
Drouet was there amid his guns, and upol
every brow was written the unalterable res
oiution to conquer or die. The next mo
ment the artillery opened, and the head Q
that gallant column seemed to sink into tn
earth. Rank after rank went down yet the
stopped nor faltered in their march. Dis
solving squadrons and battalions disappear
ing one after another in the destructive hire
affected not their courage. The ranks close
mn as before, and each treading over hi
fallen comrade, passed unflinchipgly on.