Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-06-07
ALONzO PorrER.
TINE CHARGE OF MURAr AT EYLAU.


1t is at Eylau that Murat always appears in
bis most terrible aspect. This battle fought in
mid winter, in 1907, was the most important and
bloody one that had then occurred France and
Russia had never before opposed sdoh strength
to each other. aud g complete victory on either
side would have settled the fate of Europe. -
Bonaparte remained in possession Of the field,
and that was alli no victory was ever so like a
defeat
The field of EylAu was covered with snow, and
the little ponds that lay scattered over il were
frozen sufficiently hard to bear the artillery
Seventy one thousand men on one side and
eighty five thousand on the other arose from the
frozen field on which they had slept the night oil
February, Without tent or covering to battle for
continent. Augereau en- the left was utterly
routed in the morning Advancing through a
snow storm so thick he could not see the enemy,
the Russian cannon moved down his ranks with
their destructive fire, while the COssac cayalry,
which were ordered to charge, came thuniering
on, almost hitting the French infantry with their
long lances before they were visible through the
storm.
Hemmed in and overthrow, the whole diyi-
sion, composed Of 10000 men, with the excep-
ton Of l 900, were captured or slain. Just then
the snow storm clearing up, revealed to Napoleon
the peril to which he was brought, and lie i'm
mediately ordered grand charge by the i'm
perial Guard and the whole cavalry. Nothing
was further from Bonapsrte's wishes or expec
taton than the bringing of his reserve into the
engagement at this early stage of the battle, but
there was no other resource left him
Murat sustained his high reputation on this
occasion, aud proved himself, for the hundredth
time, worthy Of the great confidence Napoleon
placed in him, Nothing could be more imposing
lhnn the battle field at this moment. Bonnparte
and the Empire trembled In the balance, while
Murat prepared to lead down his cavalry to save
them. Seventy squadrons. making IN oil IA, 900
well mounted men, began to move over the slope,
with the Old Guard marching sternly behind.
Bonaparte, it is said, was more agtated at
this crisis than when, moment before, he was
80 near being captured by the Russians But ms
he saw those seventy squadrons come down on
u plunging trot, pressing hard after tho white
plume of Murat that streamed through the snow
storm far ia front, smile passed over his coun.
tenance
The enrth groaned and trembled as they passed.
and the sabres, above tho dark and angry mass
below, looked like the foam of sea wave as If
Greats on the deep The rattling of their armor,
and the mufiled thunder Of their tread, drowned
all the roar Of battle, as with firm set array, and
swift, steady motion, they bore down with ter
rible front on the foe.
The shock Of that immense host was like a
falling mountain, and the front line of the Rus
sian army went down like frost work before it.
Then commenced o pTOtracted fight Of hand to
hand, aud sword TO sword, as in the cavalry
action Mt Eckmuhl The clashng Of steel was
like the ringing of countless hammers, and horses
aud riders were blended in wild confusion to-
geiheri the Russian reserve were ordered I'M.
aud on these Murat fell with bis fierce horsemon.
crushing and tramplng them down by thousands.
But the obstinate Russians disdAined TO fly and
rallied again, 80 that il was no longer caynlFy
charging on infantry, but squadrOns Of horses
galloping through broken hosts that, gathering
into knots. still disputed, with unparalleled
bravery, the red aud rent field.
II was during this strange fight that Murat
was seen to perform one of those desperate deeds
for which he was 80 renowned. Excited to the
highest pitch Of passion BY the obstacles that
opposed him, he seemed endowed with teufold
strength, and looked more like a superhuman
being treading down helpless morlals, than an
ordinary man. Amid the roar of artillery. and
raitling Of musketery, and falling Of sabre
strokes like lightning about him that lofty white
plume never once went down. while ever and
anon il was seen glaring through the smoke of
battle, the star of hope to Napoleon, and showing
that his fright ARM was still uplifted and strt
ing for victory.
lie ragged like an unlocked lion amid the foe.
ami his eyes, always terrible in battle. burned
with increased lustre, while his clear steady
voice, heard above the turmoil Of strife was
worth more than a thousand trumpels to cheer
on On ms followers. AT length, seeking a knot Of
Russia soldiers that for long time had kept up
deVouIing foe on his men, he wheeled his
horse aud drove in full gallop upon their leyeed
muskeis. A few Of his guards, that never al
lowed that white plume to leave their sight,
charged after him. Without waiting to count
his foes, he seized his bride in his teeth, and
VIII his pistol IN one hand and his drawn sword
IN the other, burst In head long fury upon them.
and scattered them as II hurricane had sWept
BY Murat was thunderbOlt on that day, and
the deeds that were wrought by him will furnish
themes for tho poet and the painter.
ny. The Hon. Robert Mailor,, a. ...1,,.,.