The Shasta courier., 1861-07-27
Marshal Bosquet.


Isres snt dsv. Pierre Francois Joseph Bos
s;ocnla-lv aeventu-ous life
ATE Of camps, boudoirs ana gambiing tables.
Hewas in his prime, the handsomest man in
the French army He was the most reckless
gambler, the most proHigate roue, one of the
/ most skillful swordsmen in his regiment, and
one of the bravest. He was always occupied
either with duels, fighting Arabs or making
love. Twenty campaigns endured in Africa
gained him reputation and rank. From q
Lieutenant Of artillery he rose, step by step,
and by force of real merit, to the post Of Cen
erai. When the Crimean war broke out he
was at the head of division of infantry, and
displayed talents and qualities which rem
dered him conspicuous among the host of
the Emperor feared his popularity and was
Jealous of it; for knowing him to be the most
sagacious officer in the army he suffered Cam
ROBBERS and Pellessier to be appointed over
him. Bosquet was laughing, good humor
ed fellow, and took his fate kindly.
Adored by soldiers, in favor with all his
brother officers, and satisfied with the renown
he was gaining, he could submit to tempo
rary modification. The coarse, unprincipled
and depraved St. Arnaud-that man of iron
nerve, who almost died in his saddle rather
than yield to disease-loved Bosquet like a
brother. The two were inseparable, and
were members of the famous group of rireurs
who when Louis Napoleon was President,
gathered around him for orgie or conspiracy.
Besquet lost his friend when St. Arnaud
died, though the battle of Alma was an ex-
p.oit more friendly to him than any Marshal,
for it sent his name triumphantly to Paris,
where he was lauded as hero. AT Inker-
mann he distinguished himself by his gene
rslship and courage. They say, regardless
of his rank. he dashed into the fight with
tie ardor of subalteran. His glittering
ssbre strewed the ground with corpses, and
his men cheered in frenzy of excitement al
tie daring of their chief. Bosquets succul
te Lord Raglan s troops in a moment of peril
| rendered him fayorite with the English ar
nv. Parliament voted him formal thanks
| fer this exploit, and the Sultan decorated
him with the order of Medjidie of the first
class-an order accorded before only to soy.
ereigns and princes of the blood.
~ Bosaaet was at the Mamelon Vert and a;
The taking of the Malakof, fighting always in
the bloodIest manner. 1t was said of him
ike St. Arnaud. that he grew crazy at the
sight of blood, ard woe to the man within
reach of his sabre. When he went back Il
France the Emperor could not help taking
notice of him. He was successfully made
Senator, Marshal of France, Knight of the
Bath Tin England), and Knight of the Legion
Of Honor. His honors were rich and plenty.
iollicking soldier he spent it. Bosquet' S
equipage, Bosquet's dinners and Bosquet's
smours were the talk of all Paris.
n Hpo ho orb oy
perience of camps had given him a manly
grace. and in the prime of life he seemed de-
termined to drain the cup of pleasure in the
CAPITA to the dregs. There we're rumors in
the clubs of the sad and profigate revels
which Bosquet, the Emperor, and the Count
de Fleury held at the st. Cloud palace. Bos-
ouet's name was on every tongue. He was
a uerai hon. One bright morning, howe, er.
his time came. He pait the penalty of his
immoral ty with his death wound. The
bright eyes of the wife of young inferior
officer had attracted him. and his pristige.
his chivalric, generous ways, his gallant mil
itarv presence, proved poor lady's ruin
Discovered by the outraged husband, he was
not allowed time to defend himself and help
less and unarmed, he received the avenging
sword blade deep in his breast.
Inc WARM Uluou HcdIIy spoutcu Ioitu tiit
CAV Marshal's life, but finally the wound
was staune he'd, and a suffering, almost dying
man. he was conveyed to his own residence.
The story was hushed as much as possible
A duel, etc., was given as the cause of his
illness, but soon the entire adventure was
known, and the clubs chartered and gossiped
freely about it. The Emperor protected the
young officer at Bosquet,.s request. He went
through mock trial and was acquitted. In
the Italian war. recently, he served with dis
tinction All this time-nine weary months
-Bosquet fingered on; day after day, his
wound slowly killing him. Stretched on a
sick bed, the once dashing officer must have
;adnlged in sad reflections. They say he
prayed, and prayed for death. Probably
nobody thought of offering him the consola-
tions Of religion-how they sneer at those
things there-though the woman for whom
he was dying and an aHectionate sister gave
him every sympathy and care. Finally, the
spirit fed, and at the age of ffty-one the hero
Bosquet is honored by a gorgeous, imposing
funeral What lamentabie finale, and il
not the whole career peculiarly French?
THr Rnffalo Rennh IL tolls this story tsI,