The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-02-26
A TR UB STORY.
BY RAYARD TAYLoR.

1t was an occasion Of an entirely TO-
cal nature, and might have passed
over unobrerved and unknown to ALL
except the immediate vicinity, but
for its connection with the battle
which fifty years and one day before
annihiIated the power of Prussia
An account Of it. however, was pub.
lishcd in most of the German papers,
and this circumstance. the sequel OF
the story | am about to relate was
brought on. At the time the celehra-
ton took place, | was residing in
Gotha, not more shan fifty miles from
the spot, and received the story al-
most in tho very words Of the chiel
actor in it. | am sorry that bis name
and that Of the village have escaped
my memory. All other particulars
made too deep an impression upon
me to be easily forgotten.
We must first 90 back to the 18th
.of October, ls06. On that day the
windy uplands northcst of Jena wit
messed the brief but terrible combat
which resulted in the triumphant on
try Of the French army into Berlin,
eleven days afterwards, during which
time Prussia had lost 1000 men. G5
standards and coo canon. A por.
Of the French army was encamped on
the villages around. The poor in
habitaats overwhelmed bv this sud
den avalanche OF war npon their qui-
et lie.ds-whero for hundred wears
or more, they had reapcd their har-
vests in pescc-submitted in helpless
apathy while their houses and barns
were plnndercd by the lawless sold
iery. The battle was over but there
was no lull in the blast OF ruin
Through the clouds Of cannon smoke
which settled into Che bosom of the
deep vallies, rs the raw October eve
ming came on, were heard in al lirec.
tons, shrieks Of fear, yells OF rage or
triumph, and cries Of pain or lament.
alton.
Davoust-the Butcher of Ham
burg, us the German called him
took up his quarters in Que Of the
most convenient and comfortable
houses which could be found in the
scene Of slaughter. Here he rapidly
issued orders for the disposition Of
the forces under his command, gave
directions fJg the morrow and re-
ceiYed reports from his adiutants.- -
lie had taken his cloak, and was
about retiring into an inner cham
her for repose. when an o,licer enter
ed. Pardon me, General said he,
but there is case which requires
attention. The German cauaile must
be taught to respect us Ten sol
dicrs o. Colnpany---, OF the lta In
fantry, who Quartcred themselves in
the village Of Waldorf. (lct us saw
have been driven away by the people
and two OF three of them are severe
~ injured
Dayoust's cold eve glittGred, and
his mustache curled like the lip Of 4
mast!lf rs he turned and halted a mo-
ment at the door OF the bedroom. -
Send Lieutenant and twenty men
to the village, pick out ten OF the vag-
a6ouds and sheet them down, was
the bricforder. Where is Waldorf
be added turning to one ofthosc use
ful creatures who are always willing
to act as guides and Interpreters for
the enemy in their own land.
There is a village called Upper
Waldorf. which lies near the head Of
Il small valley to the left Middle
Waldorf is on the other side Of the
hill, and Lower Waldorf about half
IN hours distance beyond
The marshal not caring to annoy
himself by mere minnie inquiries,
went to bed If ten men were shot.
that was sufficient.
The next tmorning at sunrise, Lieut..
Lamotte, with twenty men marched
over the trampled hills to seek Wal
dorf. 1t was disagraeablc business,
and the sooner it was over the better.
On reaching a ridge which overlook
ed the intersection of two or three
vallies, more than one village was
visible through the cold fog now be
ginning to rise, 'Qyi est Waldorf
inquired the officer Of the man whom
he had impressed by the way.-'Dss,
answered the mau, 'ish ober Waldorf
pointing to n village on the left. =
'En ayant,' and in fifteen minutes
more the Frenchman marched into a
little hamlet.
Hating in IN open space between
the church and the two principal
beer houses the officer summoned the
inhabitants together, The whole vii
lage was wide awake for few had slept
during the night. Their ears were
still stunned by the tllunders of yes
terday, and visions Of burning and
pillage danced before their eyes
At the command of the Lieutenant,
the soldiers seized all the male inhab-
itants and forcibly placed them in a
line. The women and children wait
ed near in terrible anxiety, for no one
understood the words which were
spoken, and these ominous prepara-
tons led them to imagine the worst.
AT this juncture the son OF the vii,
lage pastor appeared upon the scene
He was a young man Of twenty, who
was studying theology in order to be-
come his fathers successor, and for
tnnately had some knowledge of the
French. The appearance of things,