Litchfield enquirer., 1861-06-20
THE DESERTER.
AN AxHcYorg OF NAPOLEON THE FIRST.


 In the year lS09 Pierre Pitois was sergeant in L.e twelfth regiment of the line then quarter ed at Strasburg He was native of the half savage, alfciyilized part of Burgundy known under the name of Morvan, aud his comrades ever spoke of him as tough customer" AL ways the first and last to fire, he had the reputa- ton of liking but two things in the world-the smell of powder and the wllistling of bullets.
 Now, one day our friend Pierre took it into his head to address letter to his Colonel, in which he applied for leave of absence to go and see his aged mother, who was dangerously il He added that his father. being seventy-eight years of age, and suffering under paralytic af- lection, could not be of any use in nurse tending the poor woman, and he pledged himself to re- turn as soon the health of his mother should be restored.
 The Colonel's reply to Piene's application was, that as the regiment might at any moment be ordered to take the field, no leave of absence could be obtained'
 Pierre Pitois submitted. A fortnight elapsed, and then second letter was received by the Colonel in which Pierre informed him that his mother had died without the consolation of gv- ing her last blessing to her only child, and in which he again solicited leave of absence, saying that he could not state his reason for this re- quest-it was family secret" but earnestly imploring the Colonel not to deny him this fay 1 or,
 Pierre's second letter was as little successful as the first. The poor fellows Captain merely said
 Pierre, the Colonel has received your letter |: he Is sorry for the death of your mother, but he cannot grant the leave of absence you require. as the regiment leave Strasburg to-morrow' | An! The regiment leaves Strasburg; and for what place, may l ask you ? said Pierre | For Austria replied the officer. We are to see Vienna, my brave Pitois: we are to fight the Austrians. Is not that good news for you !? Ton will be in your element, my fine fellow
 Pierre Pitois made no reply; he seemed lost in deep thought. The Captain caught his hand, and shaking it heartily. said: Why do you not speak, man? Are you deaf to-day? am telling that, in less than 6 week, you are to have the pleasure of . set-to with the Austrians, and you have not one word of thanks for the good news; nay, verily believe you have not heard me-
 Indeed, Captain, have heard every word and thank you, with all my heart ferthe news, which consider very good I | thought you would said the officer. l T But, Captain, there is no chance of obtaining the leave of absence?
 i Are you mad?' was the reply. l. I.saye of ab- sence the very day before taking the feld?'
 I never thought of that said Pierre We are then, on the point of taking the field, and at such a time I suppose leave is never giveng
 7 It has never been asked.'t
 It is quite right-it is never even asked it would have the appearance ofcowardice. We'll, then, I will not press 1t any more; will try to get on without it.
 And will do well,' replied the Captain.
 The next day the twelfth regiment entered Germany, and the next-Piere Pitois deserted I Three months after, when the twelfth regi ment, having reaped on the field of battle an T abundant harvests of glory, was making its tri- umphal entry into Strasburg, Pierre Pitois was 4 <fignominiously dragged back to his corps by a I brigade of qens dassas A court martial is i'm. 4 Emediately called. Pierre Pitois is accused oi having deserted at the very moment when his l regiment was to meet the enemy face to face 'i The court presented a singular spectacle. On st the one side stood forth the accuser who cried 1 Pierre Pitois, you, one of the bravest men in the army !; you, on whose breast the star of hon. | or yet giitters, you, who never incurred either .lpunishment or even censure from your officers you could not have quilted your regiment -quit, i ted it almost on the eve of battle without some :. powerful motive to impel you. This motive the