The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-07-21
Select 4flistelIaun.
The Last Charge of Napoleon's Old
Guard,

NapcleonS "Od Guard gained by their
many desptrnte instances Of bravery an I'M
mortality in history, but their grand browning
act was their desperate charge at Waterloo,
which has few parallels in ancient or modern
warfare. They fought for their adorcd
Emperor, and to retrieve the evil fortunes of
the day, they fell, AS though to do so would
secure them IMMORTAL glory and eternal bliss
in the world Of spirits. The most graphic
aud stirring account of that last fearful and
fatal struggle. that we have seen, is from
recently published French work. 1t reads
like war itAli',lis is IT.
During the day the artillery of the Guard,
under Dronet, maintained its old rcuown.
and the Guard itself had frequently been used
10 restore the battle in various parts of tn,
field. anu always with success The English
were ias, hrconng exhausted, and in an hour
more would doubtless have been forced into
disastrous defeat. but for the timely arrival
If Bluchcr. But when they saw him, with
10000 Russians approaching, their courage
revived, while Napoleon was filled with
nnlagc,ntht. a beaten enemy was about TO
ioim junction with the allies, while Grouchv
who had been s,nt to keep them in check,
was nowhere to be seen. Alas! what great
plans single Inefficient commander can
overthrow.
In moment Napoleon saw that he could
not sustain the attack ofso tnnnv fresh troops,
il once allowed to form junction with the
allied force. and he determined to stake his
late on one 5ou cast, and endcavor to pierce
the allied centre with grand charge of the
Old Guard, and Tins throw himself between
the two armies For this purpose the upper
ial Guard was called up and divided into
immense coluns, which were to meet in the
British centre. That under Relic no sooner
entered the fire than it disappeared like
tniSt. The other was placed under New, 1.-THE
'havcst ofthe brave, and the order to advance
gwen. Napoleon accompanied them pat Of
,hc way down the slope, and halling for a
lew moments IN the hollow, addressed them a
few words lie told them that the battle
tested with them, and that hc relied on their
salor, tried lii SO many fields. "Vivc l'Em.
pcrcur." answered him with shout that was
heard above the thunder Of the artillery.
The whole continental struggle exhibited
no Suolimtr Spectacle than the last effort of
Napoleon to SAVE his sinking empire The
greatest military skill and energy the world
tosstssrd, had been taxed to the utmost during
the day. Thrones were lettering ON the ,ur.
tulent field, and the shadows of fugitive
Kings fitted through the smoke of the battle.
Bonapartc's star tIe,nble! in the Zenith; now
blazing out in its ancient splcndor, nav paling
before hts atxuuS eve The intense anxiety
with which he watched the advance of tina t
column and the terrible suspense he endur d
when the smoke ofthe battle wrapped it from
sight and the utter despair of This great heart
when The curtain lifted over fugitive army,
and tie drspairing shrek ring out. The
uiihid rccollS y make US for moment forge t
all the carnarge III sympathy with his distress.
The Old Guard felt the pres,nce Of the
immense responsibility, and resolved not to
prove unworthy Of the greatest trust commit
led 1t. Nothing cloud be more imposing
than Its moteincGts to the assault. 1t had
never recoiled before human foe, and the
nlllcd forces behcld with awe its firm, steady
advance to the final charge. For motf,cEt
the Onttriies stopped playing and the firing
ceased along the British lines, as. without
me beating Of drum, or a buge note to
cheer their STEADY courage, they moved
u, silence over the field. Their tread was
IKE mniied thunder. while the dazzling
n. lnitn's OF the curassiets flashed long n, S
Of light upon the dark and terrible mass
that swept in one Strong wave along
The stem Dronet was then amid his guns,
and on every brow was written The unal,cra:
BILE resolution to conquer or die. The next
moment the artillery opened. and the head
of that gallant column seemed to sink into
the earth. Rank after rank Welt down, vet
they neither stopped nor falteicd Dssolying
squadl ons and whole battulions disappearing
one after another in the destructive fire alfcc-
e' not thsi' courage The ranks closed up