The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-02-08
THE BATTLE OF EYLAU,

banks OF the Flstula, in Prussian
Poland, where he found refuge in the
army of the emperor Alexander. The
Russians, amazed by the disaster which
had so suddenly overwhelmed their ally,
opened their arms to receive the fugi-
tives. Alexander, alarmed, called all
his resources into requisition =; and from
every part Of his vast empire troops
were on the march to swell the ranks of
his army.
Napoleon was a thousand miles from
his capital, aud the SHOWS of Winter
already began to viii en- 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.
In an address to the troops, which cleo
triied 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
ar illcry often sinking axle deep, the
eager army followed their chief ain.
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 men, whom he was
strongly entrenching. 1t was now the
sormy month of December. Through a
dreary country of fores $, morasses,
and bleak plains, the French army
pressed on, day by day, occasionally en-
counering opposition, which they swept
before them as the gale sweeps au umnal
leaves, until, early in January, the army
entered the black forests which frown
along the Wis ula. Here the French
troops encamped to prepare for the
Spring compaign. Their entertainments
extended along the left banks of the
river for a distance of one hundred and
fifty miles. All the passes of The stream
were so occupied as to render surprise
impossible.
Comfortable huts were built from the
logs of the forest, arranged in regular
and neat streets, and supplied with
every comfort. Immense convoys of
provisions were necessarily arriving, the
soldiers being even supplied with several
million bottles of wine. The sick and
the wounded especially were nursed with
the most tender care. Over each hos
pital chief overseer was appointed,
always supplied with ready money, and
ordered to supply the sick with every
needed comfort. A chaplain was also
appointed over every hospital to minis
ter to the spiritual wants of the sick and
the dying. This chaplain was bound to
watch over all under his care, and to
report to the emperor the Sigh est irreg-
ularity or negligence towards the sick.
Winter brooded drearily over the
bleak northern plains, as the mon h of
January passed slowly away. Europe
contemplated with wonder the aspect of
French army of nearly two hundred
thousand men, encamped in the forests
of the Vistula, and yet provided with
every comf)rt. Alexander, with hardy
troops accustomed to these frigid
realms prepared to attack Napoleon, by
surprise, in his winter quarters. But
Napoleon was rarely caught mapping
Keeping himself constantly informed of
every movement of the enemy, he met
them In their stcalthy march, and over
whelmed them in the entirely unlocked
for assault. The whole French line was
urged impetuously forward, and series
of battles ensucd, amidst the drifts and
storms of the Winter, such as the annals
of war had never before recorded. In
every forest, mountain gorge, and by the
bank of every swollen stream, the re-
treating Russians planted their batter.
les.
But the French, with impetuosiy
which nothing could retard, still pressed
on, in an incessant storm Of battle
The snow, crimsoned with blood, drifted
over the dead. Mutilated forms, frozen
to the ice, drifted down the streams to
unknown burials. The scene at night
was wonderfully sublime. The country
was densely wooded. No tents were
used. The soldiers hastily constructed
from logs and boughs protection from
the wind, and with. huge camp fires
blazing at their feet, slept soundly.-
These lurid flames cleaned over wide
leagues OF frozen hill and valley, illumi-
ming the landscape with almost a super
natural radiance.
Napoleon had now driven his assailants
two hundred and forty miles north from
the banks of the Wis ula. At length
the Russians concentrated their forces,
and made a stand, for decisive ba tie,
on the plains of Eylau. 1t was the 7th
of February, 1907. The pursued and
the pursuers were within cannon shot of
each other. The night was dark with
threatening clouds, and intensely cold as
the Russians took their positions on the
brow of the gentle swell of land, extend
ing for three miles, and overlooking and
commanding the bleak, unsheltered plain,
from which the French would be COM
PEELED to make their assault. Upon
this ridge Alexander spread out his
lines of defense, and planted his batter
les of five hundred guns. AS the SOL
diers thew themselves upon the icy
ground, for their bivouac, the rising
storm commenced its dirge, and sifted
down upon them the winding sheet of
snow.
Through the drifts and the gloom of
this storm Napoleon also led his troops
upon the field, and, with characteristic
skill, took position for the decisive bat