Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-27
The Retreat of NOvara-A Narrow Es.
cape.


The following anecdote is related by French
journal of General FAyrI
During the retreat of Novara, in Is49. the
General, who had the charge of saving the rem
nant OF the Pedmontese army, had given the
most severe orders to his troops. As it was all
important to avoid attracting the attention of the
Austrians, the command was given that no one,
under any circumstances, should utter n cry, or,
above all, fire gun, without the command of an
officer, under penalty of instant death. One
morning, during a halt, a soldier, hearing the
neighing of horse in neighboring thicket,
raised his gun and fired. General Fanti who was
near, rushed upon him in fury, sabre in hand, and
plungng the weapon in his breast, extended him
at his feet.
Il will do the same" he cried out, "to any one
who attempts to initiate this wretch, who was
either a coward or a traitor
Ten years have passed since this occurrence,
ten eventful years, which have transformed the
victors of Novara into the vanquished of Ma
genta and Solferino. During these ten years
General Fanti has sometimes related to his friends
with emotion and compunction also, this episode
of his military life. Il was brutal" he would
say, "but the safety of the army was at stake"
A few days since. before his departure for the
Neapolitan Territory. he was accosted, in a publ
lie square at Turin, by man who placed himsel
before him, saying:
"Do you know me, Genera?"
Not the least in the world
But, General, look at me-
al am in a hurry; speak, who are you?"
General, if you have forgotten me, have
kept remembrance of you in the bottom of
nv heart, for your sabre entered here several
inches"
"At the retreat of Novara?"
Eyes, General"
/ What are not dsldf'
"You see; but came very near it, had
great trouble in escaping"
"You can boast of tough life; but do YOU
know that you were a very bad soder?"
81 know that am now very poor laborer. -
"Come to see me to morrow"
The next day the soldier of Novara presented
himself at the war Office.
"Show me my sabcr wound" demanded the
General
The Italian opened his breast and disclosed a
deep scar.
"Ah.' said the General, ait was good stroke
Hold, here is some lint that will staunch the
wound, handing him handful of bank notes
ASEcDorE OF JACKSON AND ONE OF HIS Sol.
DIERs-It is well known that General jackson
during the last few years of his life was am ex.
tremely religious man, member of the Presby.
terian Church, and a regular partaker of the com
munion Sunday, that an old Kentucky soldier
who had fought under the Gereral at New Or
4 leans, and knew well what manner of man he
Ind been in his fighting days. attended the Her
mitage church and saw the aged warrior knee
reverently before the altar. He was transfxed
with astonishment
After the service was over he was observed tc
be unusually silent and thoughtful, and upon being
questioned, related what he had seen. He con.
cluded his narrative thus:
"When saw the man who had fought armies
parties, cabinets, and had never fought without
conquering, get down ON his knees in that church
/ said to myself: We'll. when General Jackson
kneels, tell you boys. | think it's about time fol
me to knock UNDER" Four weeks after ht
joined the church, and lived and died an exem
plary member.