Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-09-11
M I SCELL A N Y

from Tbier's History of the Consu1ate and Empire.
An Important Epoch in the Life of Bona.
parte-His Conduct after the Allies REACH
ed Paris.
Abou. midnight, having travelled at full speed
the entire day, either on horseback or en- uosture
he at length reached Fromenteau, all-impatient
TO know what was going on. A large number
of cavalry was seen advancing, preceded by
some officers, Without hesitation he called
these officers.
who goes there2" he asked.
"Gen. Belliardsn replied the leader.
1t was in fact Gen. Beard, who, in compli-
ance with the conditions OF the capitulation of
Paris, was going to Fontainebleau, to find q
suitable position for the troops of the two mar
shals. Napoleon sprang from his carriage, seized
Gen. Belard by the arm, led him to the road
side and overwhelmed him SO with questions
that he had scarcely time to reply
"Where is the army z" said he Immediately.
''Sire, tile army is coming up."
"Where is the enemy2"t
Sat the gates of Paris"
"And who occupies Paris ?"
"Nobody it is evacuated"
"What evacuated! and my son, my wife, my
government, where are they?"
son the Loire"
"On the Loire who counseled such a pro-
|ceeding9"
"But, sire, it was said to be in obedience to
your orders"
''My order had no such meaning but Joseph,
Clarke, Marmont, Mortier, what has become of
them, what have they done 2"
''Sire, we have not seen either Joseph or
Clarke the entire day. AS to Marmont and
The troops have acted admirably. Even the
National Guards, whenever they were exposed
to fire, We'd with the soldiers. They bravely
defended the height of Belleville as well as the
opposite declivity, looking toward Vilette.-
They even defended Montmartre where there
were only few pieces of cannon, and the enc
my, believing the place TO be better defended,
sent column along the Revolte route to turn
Montmartre, thus running the risk of being
driven into the Seine. All, sire had we had
reserve of ten thousand men-hed you been
there we would have thrown the Allies into the
Seine, saved Paris and avenged the honor of our
|country!"
''Undoubtedy, had been there; but can
not be everywhere! And Clarke and Joseph,
where were they2 And my two hundred Vim
cennes cannon, what has been done with them
And my brave Parisians, why were not they call
ed into action 2''
s'We do not know, sire. We were alone, and
we did our best. The enemy lost at least twelve
thousand men,
IL ought to have expected it." cried Napo-
leon; "Joseph lost me Spain, and now he loses
me France. ought to have believed that poor
Rovigo, who told me that Clarke was coward,
traitor and, moreover, q stupid. But let us
have done with complaints, we must repair the
evil. Oaulaincourt-my carriage"
Having finished these words, Napoleon began
to walk in the direction of Paris ordering every
body to follow him, as ii he could thus gain time.
But Belliard and others endeavored to dissuade
him.
sit is too late" said Baliard, ssto 90 to Paris,
will soon arrive, if they are not already there''
"But," replied Napoleon, 81 shall lead on the
army again, and drive the enemy out of Paris,
nv brave Parisians will hear my voice. and they
will all rise and drive the barbarians beyond
their walls"
'sAh, sire, it is too late, the infantry is even
now following me-besides, we have signed
captulation that forbids our returns
"a capitulation! and who was so oowardly as
to sign one!"
"Honest men, sire, who had no other alterna-
tive"
During this colloquy, Napoleon is still advan-
cling, refusing to listen to any remonstrance, and
calling for his carriage, which Caulaincourt does
not bring, when an infantry officer is seen ad.
vancing. 1t was Ourial. Napoleon calls him
and then learns that the infantry is on tie spot,
that is to say three or four leagues distant from
Paris, and that the time for returning to the
capital is past. Conquered by facts, by the ex-
planation he receives, Napoleon pauses at the
two fountains that rise Oh the Juvisy route, sits
beside the waters, covers bis face with his
hands. and remains sometime plunged in pro-
found reflection. All present are silent, they
look at each other; they wait anxiously the re-
suit of the Emperor's meditations. At length he
rises, and asks to be shown some place where be
can find few moments shelter. He had travel
ed without cessation thirty leagues en- voiture,
and thirty on horseback; he was worn out
with fatigue, but he seemed unconscious of ex-
haustion. He asked for table and lights; he
wanted to look at his maps, and give orders
A messenger is dispatched to the neighboring
postmaster, a lights brought, and the Emperor's
face becomes visible. His features exhibit some
traces of his late emotion, but no disturbance of
mind-the prevailing expression is invincible
d u