The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-06-04


arrival of General 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 fields and marshy meadows,
| until at last he approached the outposts
of his army. He was cantering along,
when suddenly soldier stepped from
behind a clump of mulberry-trees and
| caught the bride of his horse
"'Qui va Ia p shouted the sentinel.-
The man was stationed alone far out from
the ranks. He was what the French call
sentinel perdu," Ca lone sentinel, what
we call picket.
"sGive the countersign,' said the SOL
dier as he stepped back and held his
musket ready for Immediate use. The
emperor was sorely puzzled; he did not
know the countersign, which he had not
learned, as he intended coming back as
he had gone-in the cars. Gamble was
likewise in ignorance as to the mot a.
odre
"sYou can go no farther unless you
give the countersign, or can show me a
pass from the Grand Preyot,' insisted the
sentinel.
"Gamble dismounted, and, stepping up
to the soldier, who kept keen watch
upon his every movement, informed him
that it was the Emperor Napoleon that he
was thus detainirg. He pointed to the
imperial cipher upon the saddle and
repeated to the sentinel,
"'C est z e,npeTew-it is the emperor
do not delay his majesty
"At the mention of Napoleon's name
the soldier instinctively made the military
salute, but the movement was instantly
succeeded by look of doubt.
Il can let no one in or out of our lines
unless they give the countersign or pro-
our Grand Prevot eve caught seven
spies and shot them yesterday, and we
have all received strict orders to be
unusually vigilant; cannot allow any one
to pass who is not en- regle.'
"In vain Gamble insisted that such
orders could not apply to his majesty.
"sl do not know that heis the emperor
said the sentinel.
octave you never seen his majesty
before p inquired Gamble.
"tNever,' was the reply. The Eleventh
Chasseurs de Vincennes, my regiment,
have been in Africa for the last seven
years. / never saw the emperor
"He gazed long and curiously at Napo-
leon, who, annoyed at this delay, had
thrown away his cigar, and was impatient
ly twisting his long mo9stache.
"Let me pass, my friend, urged the
emperor. Il have important orders to
give. This person. pointing to Gamble,
will remain with you as hostage
Touching his horse, he moved for
ward.
"tBack 7 shouted the sentinel, level
ling his gun; back or I will put ball
through you. You must not pass
"The emperor saw the man was in
earnest, SO, ordering Gamble to mount
again, he said he would make a circuit,
and come upon the camp at same other
point, where the soldiers would most
likely recognize him and allow him to
pass.
"'You will not stir from this spot until
l am relieved said the sturdy little
Chasseur. If you move you do it at
your peril. In an hour or so our corpo-
raj will pass here, and then I will hand
you over to him. Until he comes you
uiuSo sIay HCoi IhC. oCe on yOuI ilOiSCS,
added he, roughly Il don't like the looks
of either of you. This man is not a
Frenchman, said he, pointing to Gamble.
Come, get off,
"And as he said this he. pulled his
sword within easy reach and shook his
gun significantly
ssThere was no help for it, and SO the
and Gamble dismounted, and
seating themselves upon the grass, await
ed with impatient anxiety the coming of
the corporal Napoleon was aware that |
The little chasseur was but faithfully doing
his duty, and SO he submitted to that which |
was necessity, although a painful one.
He endeavored to converse with the sol |
dier, but was rudely silenced. s4sseSP
said the little fellow, who evidently was
in favor of his prisoners, you
must not talk to the sentinel
"After long and tedious delay the |
corporal came to relieve the guard. He
knew the emperor, who, Of course, at once |
passed into the French lines.
ait was eight o'clock when his majesty |
reached Alessandria, and, although he at
once dispatched strong body of troops
toward Stradella, they arrived too late
The Austrians had crossed the river in
large numbers, and attacked the French |
1t Montebello. They were, after an OBJ
,tinate combat, repulsed, however, and |
the Po. But they remained on