Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-06-05
THE GRIM SERGEANT.
4 TRUE STORY.


a TRUE STORY.
The Malakoff was taken. After weary
months of strife and bloodshed, the great key
stone to Sebastopol was in the hands of the
French. Bravely had the sons OF Gaul won
their prize and heaps of slain lying within
that mammoth earth work attesIed how dear
ly it had been bought. Few were the survivors
ofthe volunteers, who had carried the place
by u coup de main, and these were lying that
night wrapped in the sleep of exhaustion, un-
disturbed, at first, by the loud explosions
which were heard proceeding from the town.
But even these tired men awoke shortly af-
terwards, when the startling news spread as
fire through the camp that the Russians were
retreating to the north shore, leaving the part
they had so long and so ably defended in flames
and ruin. Forgettul of their fatigue, even the
remnants of the storming parties united in
bands, and glded into the town to plunder
what they could, undeterred by the frequent
explosions and fast spreading fires. First and
foremost among the marauders were twelve
men Of the 4th regiment, headed by one
known to his comrades by the name of 'sthe
Grim Sergeant" Philippe Charente was one
of the bravest men in the army. Gifted with
prodiglous strength and dauDtless courage na-
ture had given him a ply siognomy which had
procured tor him the above mentioned so5ri-
guet and, being taciturn, rumor had further
invested him with character for great fe-
rocity. Now, the truth was, that a more gen.
tie hearted creature than Charente did not eX-
ist. But men often pride themselves upon
possessing qualities which are really foreign
TO their natures. SO the sergeant pleas
cd when he was joked about his malevolent
disposition, and smiled grimly. One good
turn his dark reputation certainly did for him
for he was held in such awe by his comrades
that he led peaceful life, no ole caring to
stir up the wrath of the supposed mantiger.
Philippe had dore good work in the Crimea,
and escaped the sickness which cut off So
ny brave fellows. He had led one of the
storning parties into the Malakof, and came
out Of the dread struggle without wound,
though his companions fell around him, mown
down by the fire of the enemy, like grass by
the Scythe of the mower. He was one of the
first to awake at the news of the retreat, and,
possessing the confidence of his comrades,
he soon collected few daring spirits whom
he led into Sebastopol. Onward went that lit
tie band through streets of burning houses,
over heaps of the slain, broken gun carriages,
carcasSes of horses, wrecks of every kind.
Their numbers gradually lessened-some
crushed by falling ruins, others pershing by
the onsets of struggling Russians. Still un-
daunted, still animated by the hope of plum
der, the survivors advanced through fame
aud blood to reap a harvest from the departed
foe. At last they reached the side of the har-
Dor, and entered magnificent house, which
was not yet in flames. and seemed in less
dlSmantled condition than the generality OF
the riddled buildings around. Nor were the
hopes excited by its external appearance dis
appointed upon entering, for the soldiers
found within a large and rich collection of pic
lures, costly furniture, books and articles of
bUouterie, which lay scattered on every side.
An open piano, table covered with fancy
work, desk with paper upon it, attested the
recent occupation of the drawing room, in
which they created confusion worse confound-
l.ar- h,vr .l<,,, 49,
opened upon terrace, which overbung the
water, and commanded a fine view of the har-
boz and north shore. Charente attracted by
the sound of an explosion, stepped cut upon
the terrace for an instant, and gaZed upon the
scene before him. where to the right, the Rus
SLAMS were fast destroying the floating bridge
over which they had made their mastery re-
treat; and the whole water Swarmed with YES
seIs of every degree, from the hastily con-
structed raft to the fairy like steamers. which
were all busily employed in conveying goods
and provisions TO the north shore.
His attention was suddenly called to the in
terror of the room by loud shout from his
comrades, and the agoniZed scream of fe-
male voice, when turning round, he saw that
lhe soldiers, in breaking down large mirror,
, mad brought to view closet which it had con-
eealed, and from which they were dragging
forth young girl about fourteen, who with
uplited hands and heart-rendering accents,
eIaved for mercy from the rude captors. But
tne encounters which they had with the Rus
siahS that morning, and the losses they had
sustained had exasperated the French, and
one one ruifan pointed pistol at the poor chld's
neau' whilst another raised his sword to cut
neE ooWn. In an instant the ssGrim Sergeant"
;s was 10 the midst of the group; he struck the
pt''o up SO that it exploded harlnIessy in the
ar, ne dashed away the menacing weapon,
sIu Sezlng the shrieking victim in his arms,
nc elafed around upon his astonished COM
s' ts"ueS' and shouted: sShe shall not have the
I IAN OF soldier, with a sword and gum she
'.ali oe crowded like cat in bath of Rus
lou water" Then throwing off his sword he
,.apea upon the terrace and plunged into the
water beneath.
-. OF moment the soldiers stood transfixed,
.ae! rushed to the window to watch the Ser
sse"nts proceeding but another marauding
p-sty entering the house at this time, they
to,e ,e fearful of losing the spoil, and returned
w;,t ne work of plunder, loading themselves
n 'n ~ every article that they could carry off,
ra Tue meantime the Sergeant, supporting the
Jung girls head, was striking out bravely
h0r'h shore. The water was intensely