Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-12-13
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THE BATTLE OF EYLAU.
BY JOHN S. c. ABBOTT.

from tne neluS OF Jena and AuerStadt,
Frederick William, the king of Prussia,
fed more than five hundred miles to the
banks of the Vistula, in Prussian Pc
land, where he found refuge in the army
of the emperor Alexander. The Rus
SLAMS amazed by the disaster which had
SO suddenly overwhelmed their ally, open
ed their arms to receive the fugitives
Alexander, alarmed, called all his re-
sources into requisition and, from eve
ry part of his vast empire, troops were
on the march to swell the ranks of his
army.
Napoleon was thousand miles from
his capitol, and the SHOWS of winter al
ready began to whiten those northern
hills. If blow were not Immediately
struck, the foe might accumulate in such
masses, as to fall upon the French in
the spring with overwhelming numbers.
Ia an address to the troops, which cleo
trifed all hearts, the army was inspired
with enthusiasm to disregard all fatigue
and peril, and again to advance to meet
the foe. Through rain, and snow, and
miry roads, the wheels of the ponderous
artillery, often sinking axle deep, the
eager army followed their chieftain.
1t required march of four hundred
miles to pass from Berlin to Warsaw.
Upon the right banks of the Vistula,
Alexander had force of one hundred
and twenty thousand, whom he was
strongly entrenching. 1t was now the
stormy month of December Through
dreary country of forests, increases,
and bleak plains, the French army press
ed on, day by day, occasionally encoun-
tering opposition, which they swept be-
fore them as the gale sweeps autumnal
leaves, until, early in January. the army
entered the black forests, which frown
along the Vistula Here the French
troops encamped to prepare for the spring
campaign. Their entertainments extend
cd along the left banks of the river for
distance of one hundred and fifty miles.
All the passes of the stream were so &C.
cupied as to render surprise impossible.
Comfortable huts were built from the
logs of the forest, arranged in regular
and ueat streets, and supplied with eve-
ry comfort. Immense conveys of pro-
visions were necessarily arriving, the
soldiers being even supplied with several
million bottles of wine. The sick and
wounded especially were nursed with the
most tender care. Over each hospital
chief ovcrscer was appointed, always
supplied with ready money, and ordered
to supply the sick with every needed
comfort. A chaplain was also appoint
ed over every hospital to minister to the
spiritual wants of the sick and the dy.
ing. This chaplain was bound to watch
over all under his care, and to report to
the emperor the slightest irregularity or
negligence to the sick.
Winter brooded drearily over the bleak
northern plains, as the month of Janua-
ry passed slowly away. Europe contcm-
plated with wonder The aspect of French
army of nearly two hundred thousand
men, encamped in the forests of the Wis
lula, and yet provided with every COM
fort. Alexander, with hardy troops ac-
customed to these frigcd realms, prepar-
ed to attack Napoleon, BY surprise, in
bis winter quarters. Napoleon was rare
ly caught mapping. Keeping himself
constantly Informed Of every movement
of the enemy, he met them in their
stealthy march, and overwhelmed them
in the entirely unlocked for assault. The
whole French line was urged impetuous-
~ forward, and a series of battles ensu.
ed, amidst the drifts and storms Of win
ter, such as the annals Of war had never
before recorded. In every forest, noun
tain gorge, and by the bank of every
swollen stream, the retreating Russians
planted their batteries.
But the French, with impetuosity which
nothing could retard, still pressed on, in
an nccssant storm Of battle. The snow,
crimsoned with blood, driftcd over the
dead Mutilated forms, frozen to the
ice, drifted down the streams to I'M
known burials. The scene at night was
wonderfully sublime The country was
dcnsely wooded No tents were used