Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-22
W. ID. WkLLkCH.
THE OLD GROWIER.

Corporal Ploquet, Of the sixty-fr regiment
(French). was, undoubtedly the greatest orig
inal of the grand army which invaded Russia
under Bonaparte. 1t was from his snarish
disposition that this regiment received from
Bonaparte the soubriquet of the Growlers.
Plcquet was good comrade; but more he
was brave soldier, having no fault but that
of never being pleased. He complained of
everything, at al times, and in all places
During the four years I was his bed fellow |
never heard one approbatory word escape his
Hps-never did his cOuntenance indicate the
least sign Of satisfaction, even when a victory
was gained, and booty was certain to be had.
Whilst he was in garrison he complained of
want OF sleep, and when a march he was
EatigEed; when his knapsack was we'll gar
nished, he complained that it was too heavy,
when empty, it was too light; and fretted that
he had not the means to replenish it. From
his habit of always being dissatisfied the sol
diers would remark to him that if a regiment
of Maleontents should be raised, he would
certainly be chosen Colonel. But after all
this failing of his never caused offence to be
taken, for the soldiers would but laugh at his
eccentr1clties; and even the officers would
overlook his cross answers account of his
otherwise good conduct, and in consideration
of his many feats of valsr in many desperate
conflicts, and the many other good qualities
he possessed.
1t was more especially during the Russian
campaign that this monomania was fully de-
velOped. The long and fstiguing marches of
the army through a sterile and incendiary
country, was fertile source of indulgence for
this peHctnHt. lie would remark, That we
had nothing to expect here but to carry our
bones to the end of the earth. What can we
do 10 country of sayages? We have already
marched hundred leagues without seeing a
single potato; it would be some relief if we
could but hear the crack of a cannon, as
among civilized peOple-but no, we never
hear even the puff of primiug, though /
have carried at my back four packs of car
tridges." He awelt particularly on this point
as 1T these cartridges were a grievOus trouble
10 him, and he believed they never would be
used, but would still continue to be heavy
load
At last the two armies came in sight of each
other, but seemed to avoid an encounter The
russians at length daringly drew up in front
Of our troops. Two days before the battle of
Moskawa, the Emperor inspected the army,
and our Colonel rode from rank TO rank of the
regiment to inspire them for the coming con-
fict Soldiers" said he, "the Emperor has
given us the glorious mission to attack one of
the redoubts which the enemy has raised to
arrest our march Long kivs the Emperor ~
The. regiment received this information with
loud huzzas; the only exception was Ploauet,
who was heard muttering through his teeth
"Pshaw, these Parisians are ali alike-they
tell US the greatest favor they can confer upon
US, Is to order US where we may be cut down
by the balls of the enemy"
How is this, Corporal" )" said 1; care you
not pleased to see these bravadoes SO near
US"
Yes so near US; when after we have
marched an hour under this stiff harness, and
entered their battlements, more than half of
US will be cut to pieces before we know where
VIC are"
But look at the glory" said l.
"Glory-death! The glory is neither for
ma 'l.zaiH ha. ia al G. n
risians, dressed out with glittering caps of
general officers, trigly appareled their boots
shining, and who feast three times a day.
The army was then ordered to advance; in
the space Of an hour we deployed under the
fire of the enemy's batteries, which swept of
whsls files Of our men. Our regiment being
exposed to the destructive artillery, suffered
most dreadfully. For a moment hesitation
prevaiied-a panic had seized the new allies
who were on the eve Of retreating. Ploquet,
who was in the third rank, Immediately threw
his musket across them, and swOre he would
spit the first man who would attempt to leave
the ranks. While thus acting, a ball struck
his cartridge box, and carried part Of it away
which caused him to make one of the drollest
grimaces / ever beheld.
Five packages Of cartridges lost :" said he
gnashing his teeth; latter carrying them two
hundred leagues without firing one-it is ag-
gravating."
The regiment then rushed forward at double
quick time. The Russian artillery soon ceased
hring-it was awful-it had a solemn effect
the oldest sighed adieu, and the oficers raised
their hands In Supplication. Ploquet seized
his musket, his brilliant eyes flashed like
lightning, and after muttering a dreadful
oath, be rushed impetuOusly forward. Sud
denly blue light seen to rise from the
TedOubt-an awful explosion had taken place,
which made the ground to. shake like an earth
quake; then a dense smoke enyeloped the
WhOla hAffl0 fal1 and bup IL Of IL
bodies were streTed around. PIOquet wRs no
longer near me, and thought he had been
among the slain. When the wind had cleared
away the smoke, saw the lower part of his
body entering the breach which had been
made. He was easily distinguished by the
remnant of the esrtridge-box, which still ad-
hered to his back. / FASTENED to his assist
Gnee, and although followed the same way.
he was not to be seen
True, the carnage which was going on in
the fort, did not allow much time for search
The assault was continued unabated. as the
example set by the Corporal stimulated the
other braves to follow to his support Pow
der was useless-the saber and bayonet alone
glittered in the melee, which was dreadfulIy
severe The battle was fought man To man
and the slain on both sides lay together on the
spot where they fell. This skirmishing lasted
more than twenty minutes, and seldom was a
duel fought with more desperation and obsti-
macy. When the skirmishing had ceased, the
cry Of victory was heard-the redoubt was
ours, and the eagle was placed On the walls.
Over the noise and confusion which then
prevailed, voice was heard calling on the
drum major to lower the flag, but there was
no answer; the drummer was called, but no
drummer aPpeared-all were slain. Out of
army which had mustered four effective
ba;talions, Of eight hundred men each, four
hundred alone remained.
Very soon after, l found Ploquet leaning
against wheel Of the advanced train, en-
deayoring 10 staunch with his shirt sleeve the
blood which was flowing in streams from
wound he had received on his head. hast
ened to his relief, and saw that the blow
which he bad received had split his shake.
- II was lucky" said /, "that your head was
so well protected
''Ah. my friend, >" said he; ''do you call
that lucky, when have lost two bundles of
cigars, such as you never have smoked, ard
such as 1 do not expect soon to fnd again"
He then showed me the bundle of cigars
which the saber had cut in two