Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-06-19

The following truthful incident Of the
present Emperor of France is related in
the Weekly Herald Of May ninth. Aside
from its romance, the story possesses un-
usual interest for us at this time, and
may serve as lesson to some Of eur
officers in high command
"The French troops were poured into
Italy at the commencement of the cam
paign with rapidlty bordering upon the
marvellous. They crossed the Alps by
thousands, and swarmel into the plains
OF Piedmont when the Austrians deemed
them as yet scarcely out Of their barracks
in France. The display Of activity was
wonderful; every hour transports arrived
at Genoa, conveying cavalry and artillery,
which landed and joined the infantry, who
had crossed the mountains, so speedily as
to defeat the plans Of the Aus,rians, then
marching upon Turin, which capital they
we're aware was almost deienecless. To
their surprise few days placed between
them and the devoted city one hundred
thousand of Nap Icons troops, aud at
once the Austrians began rctro-ade
movement They were in immense force
over two hundred and fifty thousand ; bat
they saw propec to await the attack Of
the French and SArdinian armies, instead
of pushing on boldly, as they had at first
evincei the intention of doing.
The Emperor of the French took up
his headquarters at Aiessanlria, i torti.
fed city in Pie imont, and here he re-
mained some twenty days, daring which
time there rcisncl an apparent inactivity
which the Austrians deemel unaecount-
able. They were not aware that the
French troops were moved by night
They had possession Of the railroads., and
during the interval referred to they were
massed ia such places rs Napoleon dcsis
mated to his officers He took counsel oil
none. gave no reasons for any OF his act
ions, aud surveyed himself the country
over which his troops were to move.
"One morning at :. o'clock mcssen-
ger from the palace informed Mr.. Gamble
ian Englshman who has tor years had
charge of the Emperor's saIlle-horsel
that his majesty wi.'iel to have he'd IN
READINGS three of hi. best steels. An
hour after, the Emperor, Captain Ncrsae
aud Mr. Gamble were CO veyed in a
special train 10 Clsiic, the extreme out
post of the Frcnch and ;sardniln lines.
They took their horses with them, anl at
Casale mounted and rode for some miles
until they had crossed the river Po, anl
were actually in sight of the Austrian
camp. As the daylight dawned the En-
peror observed that large bodies OF Aus
trian troops were moving in the direction
Of Stradela, and he at ouco conelud d
they intended crossing the river at that
point. He was anxious 10 prevent tats,
as it turned out aiterward thar he him
self wished to cross his army at that
place. lie ordered Captain Nergne TO
galop Of to General Blzlines division,
and request them to march at once toward
Stradalia, from which were distant so ne
fifteen miles They were to use all dis
patch.
i" He then ,urncl toward his own lines,
with the intention of ordering torwari
such troops as he deemed pecessary TO
prevent the successful crossing Of the
river by the heavy misses Of Austrians
he had observed under march. As he
had command OF the railroad he was
aware that he could throw several regi
ments Of picked troops forward in time to
check the advance of the Austridns, and
could thus hold them bJck until the ar.
rival of Gen. Bazaine's division, which
was one of the finest in the French army.
The Emperor rode as rapidly as he could
in the uncertain light, over the broken
rice field. and marshy meadows, unti at
last he approached the outposts Of his ar
my. He was cantering along. when sud-
denly soldier stepped from behind "a
elump Of mulberry trees and caught the
bride of his horse.
"'Qui "a Ia, shouted the sentinel
The man was stationed alone far cut from
our ranks. He was what the French call
"a sentinel perdu,' IA lone sentinel,) what
We call picket.
a. Give the countersign," said the sold
ier as he stepped back and held his musk
ct ready for immediate use. The Empe-
ror was sorely puzzled; he did not know
the countersign, which he had not learned
as he intended coming back as he had
gone-iu the cars. Gamble was also in
ignorance as to the mot d'orde.
80 You can go no farther unless you
give the countersign, or can show me a
pass from the Grand Preyot,' insisted tho
sentinel.
Gamble dismounted. and, stepping up
to the soldier, who kept keen watch
upon his every movement, informed him
thai it was the Emperor Napoleon that
he was thus OBTAINING. He pointed to
the imperial cipher upon the saddle and
repeated to the sentinel
"Cest femperar-it is the emperor
do not delay his maj jcsty.'
AT the mention of Napoleon's name
the soldier instinctively made the military
salute, but the movement was instantly
succeeded by a look of doubt.
80 can let no one in or out Of our
lines unless they give tho countersign or
produce pa.s signed BY Col. Vernon,our