, 1863-05-21
4 Soldiers Devotion.

division. commenced that eventful retreat from
Moscow 30 disastrous to the immense army that
bad followed him. At the close Of march
which had been rendered more difficult BY the
state Of the roads and continued rain, the Em
petot arrived on the Esd at Borowsk, and there
passed the night. The next morning, while In
dicating the order Of march 90 as TO gain Marc
Jaroslavitz, where be counted on making some
stay, be learned fhat ct the distance Of four
leagues before him, the Delzian division, under
the orders Of Prince Eugene, had found that viii
Iage, with the surrounding woods and Nights
unoccupied This was an important position TO
maintain; for the Russian general, kutusoh,
who marched parallel with the French army,
might possibly seize on Il, and thus cut of the
route to Kalouga. Wishing to assure himself Of
the taking possession Of this point, the Emperor
rode to the quarter from whence it was expected
the Russian general would make the attack, and,
despite the torrents Of rain, TRANQUILITY examined
the ground which might ere long become field
| Of battle. Suddenly the sound Of brisk firing
struck on bis ear. He became restless and,
pressing his horse, ascended hilock to recoin-
noitre, but the belt Of wood intercepted any oE-
tended view.
"Can the Russians have been beforehand with
Us ?" demanded he Of Davoust, who had not
quilted his side. ave have not marched quick
enough should not wish to repacs the left
l
"Sire," replied Prince d'Eckmdhl, "perhaps
in the maneuver prescribed by your majesty, the
troops may have manifested little Of that duness
which usually accompanies great fatigue"
"Believe you 80, Monsieur le Marshall New
theless, we have already passed more than six
leagues"
alt is true, sire; but Moscow is not more
than 106 versts altogether from Maro-Jaroslavitz.
Four days march are sufficient to clear that
distance, and this is our sixth day. Kutusof
has been In advance Of u.s."
ais II then battleP" said Napoleon, impa.
tiently, as the cannon were heard more distinctly,
and seemed to be approaching. "Go, Dayoust,
go; quicken your troops and infuse little Of
your spirit into them; for we must act now
not to conquer, but solely to preserve"
Notwithstanding the haste with which the
marshal executed the orders Of the Emperor, he
did not arrive on the scene Of action until after
the success Of the French troops had been as.
sured However, the combat still ragged with
fury at the extremity Of the village, and when
the second division Of the first corps commanded
by General F.gant, attempted to take possession
oi ons of the hlghls, The Russian 'cannOu pinyOd'
upon them with redoubled vigor. Davoust i'm
medately despatched one Of his aides-de-camp,
the Colonel Koblinski, to Prince Eugene; but In
travcrsing the line, that officer vas struck by .
bullet which shattered bis thigh, and be instantly
fell from his horse.
On the night Of that brilliant combat, the
Prince d'Eckmuhl who was still uncertain Of
the fate Of his aide-de camp, sought for him
through the field Of battle, which presented the
most horrible spectacle. Delson aud his brother
general had also fallen while leading the last at
tack. While sadly thinking over the blighted
hopes Of his Emperor, and mourning the fate Of
his brave companions, the attention cf Davoust
was arrested BY the voice Of Q soldier, who, COW
cred with blood, and endeavoring to extricate
himself from the heap Of carnage which sur
rounded him, ieebly exclaimed, Heavens have
my friends len me here to die without succori"
It was KobliOSki. Davoust Immediately 70.
cognized him, and, leaping from his horse, gen.
tly raised the sufferer 10 his arms, cheered his
dropping spirits, and dispatched messenger for
the surgeon general On his arrival with his as
sistants be examined the wound, and the glance
exchanged with the marshal told more eloquently
than words would convey how slight were the
hopes entertained Of the recovery Of the unfor-
tunate Pole.
ait is q soldiers fate" said Davoust, in q
voice trembling with emotion. Gentlemen, ex.
ert your skin to the utmost"
The effect Of the bullet had been such as to
make amputation necessary, which the brave
Pole bore with fortitude, the prince remaining
BY his side during the operation. The wound
being dressed, be embraced the sufferer, and
spoke 10 tones Of hope and encouragement; and
having recommended him 10 the care Of few
whom he could cont1de In, mounted bis horse to
join the Emperor, who waited with impatience.
After attending council Of war, composed Of
the principal generals Of the army, and having
received Instructions al his future line Of march,
Davoust retired to his quarters. Already the
two first divisions Of the first corps were in move
ment, when an officer, whom he had sent to in:
quire as to the state Of Koblinski returned and
informed him that be still survived, and, with
proper care, might yet recover. The marshal
was oveEjoyed at the intelligence, but was per-
picked as TO the best mode Of conveying hin 70
Smolensk, the wagons being In the rear Of the
army and already crowded 10 excess A sudden
thought started to his mind, and placing himself
in front Of the forty eighth regiment as they de-
filed, he addressed company Of grenadiers Of
the second battalion n:-
Grenadiersl" said be, "my aidS-ds-camp,
Colonel KOblinski, was yesterday severely
wounded while showing you an example Of cOur-
age and obedience He is Pole. Would you
wish to leave him TO the RusSiansi"
"NO, no. Long live the POlel" cried the sci.
disrs.
"ViVe rEmpereurl" cried they who had not
fully comprehended the words Of the marshal.
Listen, then" said DayousE "Ars there
amongst this company, which ! have selected,
four men who are willing to undertake the re-
sponsible task which shall impose"
At this invitation grenadier, stepping from
the ranks, exclaimed, briskly, "Herew He
was immediately followed BY q dozen others: an
the company did the same.
The marshal, addressing the man who had
FIRST spoken, demanded bis name.
Joseph Trigaud."
swell, TrigSud, Il Is 10 you that coniids my
aide-de.camp. Thou and Thy comrades shall BE-
anSwerable Tor him. Soldiers, guard him Is you
"Yes, yes. vive rBmpsreuri We are fe.