Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-03-20


fortitude and heroism recorded in the
annals of war was performed by Marshal
Ney, in the retreat from Moscow. With
division of five thousand men be was cut
off from the remainder of the French army
Kutusoff, the Russian general, with sO,-
600 men including numerous cavalry, and
200 pieces Of artillery, had effectually
blocked up his passage.
Ney, with his little band of half fam
ished soldiers, wavering in their languid
march, with guns defective and dirty, with
but six peices of cannon, rushed upon the
hostile batteries, and maintained the une-
quail conflict, in the vain endeavors to cut
his way through the masses of the foe,
until night darkened the field. Then at
midnight, with no thought even of sur
render, he ordered his troops to turn upon
their tracks, and march back again into
the wilds of Russia.
With amazement the troops heard this
command, which, without hesitation they
obeyed. 1t was cold, gloomy winters
night. Tie frozen ground was covered
with snow, and The blast pierced the worn
out clothing of the soldiers. For two or
three hours they traversed, in darkness,
the savage waste till they came TO small
river. Breaking the ice, 10 see in what
direction the current ran, Ney said: "This
stream must flow into the Dneipere. 1t
shall be our guide"
The feeble band, cold hungry and weary
struggled along until they reached the
Dneipere. Its broad and rapid current
was clogged with floating masses of ice
aud in one spot only, to which a lame
peasant conducted them, was the ice suf.
ficien,ly firm for them to attempt pas.
sage. And even here it was necessary to
pass with the utmost caution. Ney wrap
in his cloak slept for an hour upon the
snow, while his troops passed over in sin
gle file. The ice bent and cracked under
their feet.
They..then attempted to pass the wagons
over, ladened with the sick and wounded.
The frail surface broke, and several of
the wagons sank beneath the ice.
A few faint cries were only heard, as
sufferers disappeared in their cold and icy
sepulcher. By crossing the Dneipere, Ney
hoped, in long detour, again to reach
the army. The Russians followed the
feeble band in its retreat, keeping beyond
musket shot, but firing necessarily upon
their victims with artillery, from every
available eminence.
Napoleon was at Orcha, waiting, in
the most intense anxiety, to bear tidings
from Ney. Four days had passed with
out even a rumor of his fate. The whole
army was looking back across the Dneipere
hoping to catch glimpse of his advanc-
ing columns, or TO hear the report of his
artillery. At the close of day of solicit
tude and watching, another wintry night
euveloped in its gloom these retreating woe
stricken armies. Napoleon was partaking
of a frugal supper with Gen. Lefebvre
when shout of joy was heard in the
street, and the words "Marshall Ney is
safe," fell upon the his ears. At that
moment a Polish officer entered with the
tdings of the Marshall was few leagues
distant. Oh the banks of the river, harass-
ed by pursuing Cossacks, and in want of
immediate assistance. Napoleon sprang
from bis chair, seized the informant by
both arms, and gazing into his eyes, ex-
claimed.
ais that really true? Are you sure of
iti l have two hudred millions of gold
in my vaults at the Tulleries. would
have given them all to save Marshall
Ney."
Instantly Eugene was despatched with
five thousand men for the rescue of the
Marshall. Eagerly the soldiers left their
bivouac fires for their midnigh; march.
For six miles they toiled along through
the snow and over an unknown path, often
stopping to listen if they could hear any
sound of their lost friends. The river,
which was their only guide, flowed drear
and chill at their side encountered with
vast masses of ice. Gloomy forests of
evergreens frowned along their path, and
no sound but the tramp of Eugene's bat
talions disturbed the silence Of the night.
At length Eugene ordered his artillery
to be discharged, as shout to call the at
tention of his friends. Listening anxious
ly, they heard far of in the distance, in
apparent response, feeble report of mus
kerry. The Marshal had not single
piece of artillery left. Both parties, how
ever, understood the language Of their guns,
and they hastened to meet each other
They we're soon united. Officers and SOL
diers alike threw themselves into each
others arms, and many of these war-worn
veterans wept for JOY.
The reunited bands forgstful Of past
perils and the still greater ones they were
yet to encounter, returned rejoicingly to
Orcba. As Marshal Nsy, with soidierly
simplicity and unostentation, gave recital
of the dangers and difficulties he had sur
mounted and the hardsbips he bad endured.
Napoleon grasped bis hand, and immortal