, 1861-03-07
Last charge Of the Old Guard.

grand description OF the last desperate charge OF
NapOeon'sQld Guard under Ney, at the great
battle Of Waterloo:
During the day, the artillery Of the Guard
maintained its old renOwn, and the Guard itself
had frequently been used to restore the battle
on various parts Of the field, and always with
success The English were fast becoming ex-
hausted, and in an hour would have been forced
into a disastrous retreat, but for the timely ar
rival Of Butcher. But when they saw him, with
30, 900 Prussians, approaching, their courage re-
viVed while Napoleon was filled with amazcment
A beaten enemy about to form junction with
the allies, while Grouchy, who had been sent to
keep him in check, was nowhere to be seen-was
cause for alarm and modification. Alasl what
great plans traitor or an inefficient commander
may overthrow :..f..-..l r.a.
In moment Napoleon saw that he could not
sustain the attack Of so many fresh troops, if
once allowed to form junction with the allied
forces and he DIT Tmined to stake his fate on
one bold cast and endeavored to pierce the
allied centre with grand charge Of the Old
Guard, and thus place himself between the two
armies. For this purpose the Imperial Guard
was called up aud divided into two Immense col
umns, which were to meet in the English centre.
That under Reile no sOoner encountered the
,nemy's firt, than It disappeared like mist
The other column was commanded by Ney, who
MED it part Of the way down the slope, and
halting few moments IN the hollow, addressed
them. lie told them that the battle rested with
thein-that he relied entirely on their yalOr,
which had been tried on so many fields. Gire
Empereurr was heard far above the roar Uf the
artillery. r.Hr. f. .#
The whole continental struggle exhibited no
subner spectacle than the last effort Of Napo-
leon to save his sinking empire. The greatest
military skill the world ever possessed had been
taxed to the utmost during the day. Thrones
were tOttcring on the doubtful issues Of fear
fully contested field, aud the shadows Of fugitive
kings lifted through the smoke Of the field Of
a tie. Napolcons star tremLled in the zenith
HOW blazing out IN all its ancient splrDdOr-
now Paling b,hiHd the OninOus mists which
Threatened 10 obscure il in an oblivion Of eter-
nifty. The intense anxiety with which he watched
the advance OF tiat coluHn, and the terrible sus-
pcnSr he endured when the smoke hid the battle
from his view, and then the utter despair Of bis
great heart. WHEN the curtain lifted over Gugi
tive army, and the despairng shrek rang out,
lhe u Guard recOilsl" makes us for mo-
ncnt Gnrg all though of the carnage, in sym
patl y for his distress.
The Old Guard felt the responsibility devolv-
ing upon It, anil resolved not to prove unworthy
Of it, former well-Carned fame. Nothing could
be more imposing than its movement to the as.
Sault Il had never before recoiled in presence
Of human foe, and the allied forces beheld with
awe its firm and steady advance TO tho charge.
a.. ~ ~ AZ ~ H.; .,.. az
,'"E etasVuTn tle r"ensh ,'"e' aS "LtuOu. Ine
ocauns y, uru'n, " oug's nc,c 70 cneer 'ns'r
Eoui"sc, u.y n'o'Si ~ Ival IN. slencs o.er .ne
while the dazzling helmets Of the cuirasSiers
flashed long lines Of light " on the dark and ter
Tibe mass that swept In one strong wave along.
Ihe stern Diou,t was there amid nus guns and
upon every prov was written m Ine nnatera3le
resolution 70 conquer or die. Inc next moment
inc artIIery opened, anu the nead o. tnaI gahant
column seemed TO sunk into tne eartn. RANK al
ter rank went down; yet they stopped not nor
ALTERED ~ their march. DissoVing squadro9s
anu oataI'ons disappearing one aner another IN
the destructive nre' Affected not thelr courage.
The ranks closed up rs before and each treading
over his iallen comrade, passed unlllnthlngiy
along.
The horse which Marshal Ncy role was shot
from under him, and scarcely had he mounted
another, beiore that also sank TO the earth; and
50 another and another, until i've in succession
were slain: Then, with his drawn sabre in hand,
he placed himself dctcrminedy on loot at the
head OF his torn and bleeding column. In vain
did the artillery hurl its storm Of iron upon that
living mass. Up to the mouths Of the cannon
they pressed, and driving the artillery men from
their places, pushed on through tho nglish lines
But just as the victory seemed won, file OF sol
dicrs who lay Hat on the ground behind ridge
Of earth, suddenly sprang up and p ured vol
ley into their iaceS Another aud another fol-
lowed, until one broad sheet Of flame rolled on
their 6osoms with such herce and unexpected
mo-, nov, tnat tney staggered beneath e. Before the
vI1 uuaru nad Tune TO rally ana charge, heavy
oony 2. hn,ntry Ie'i on US 'e't tnans, causing IT,
~ y. ~ uasc,'leu stI'e, 10 swerse 70 the rgh| Al
'na. 'US:H. wn"'e oIgaue oI cavalry numbered
~ Sne Iisn. nank, anu pehe'ra'cu where cavalry
nSm ~, "e.eI oCen oelo,e.