The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-07-12
The Field Eloqucnce Of NapO-
leon. '9 A ,


The United Service Magazine contains
paper on the above subject, comprising
a number Of the short and tense speeches
and bulletins Of Napoleon to his men,
We reproduce some Of them:
A sentinel who. allowed Gen. Joubert
to entor Napoleon's tent without giving
the password was brought before him ;
"Goj" said he, "the man who forced the
Tyrol may we'll force a sentinel"
On catching the first sight Of the
Mamelukes drawn up in order of battle,
on the banks Of the Nile, in view Of the
Pyramids, Benaparte, riding before the
ranks said "Soldiers from the summit
Of yonder Pyramids, forty generations
are watching you"
The fourth regiment Of the line on one
occasion lost its eagle. "What have you
done with your eaglef ~ asked Napoleon
"a regiment that loses its eagle has lost
all. Yes; but l see two standards that
you have taken. IT'S WE'LL" concluded
he with q smile, "you shall have another
eagle"
On the field of Austerlitz, young Rus
sian officer, taken prisoner, was brought
before him. "Sire," said he, "let me be
shot have suffered my guns to be Ia
ken" "Young man." was the reply, "be
consoled Those who are conquered by
my soldiers, may still have titles to glory"
In the celebrated march from Frejus
to Paris, on his return to France, from
Elba, one of the regiments at Grenoble
hesitated before declaring for him. He,
with remarkable instinct, leaped from
his horse, and unbuttoning the breast Of
his gray surtout, laid bare his breast
"If there be an individual among you, y
said he, "who would desire to kill Ills
general-his emperor--let him fire."
When Bonaparte sailed from the shores
of France, on the celebrated expedition
to Egypt, the destination of the first was
confded to none but himself When
from the mastheads of the vessels hi:
troops discovered the town Of Alexan'
dria, Napoleon first announced to them
the destination of the expedition
"Frenchmen ! You are going to at
tempt conquests, the effect of which up
on civilization and the commerce of thu
world is incalculable. Behold the frs
city we are about to attack 1t was bull
by Alexander"
Bonaparte was remarkable for breaking
through the traditions of military prac
tice. Thus, on the eve of the battle o
Austerlitz, he adopted the startling ant
unusual course of disclosing the plan o
the campaign to the private soldiers O
his army.
rThe Russians went to turn my right
and they present me their flank. Sol
diers l will myself direct all your bat
tallions depend upon me to keep my
self far from the fire, SO long as, with
your accustomed bravery, you bring dis
order and confusion into the enemy
ranks but if victory was for one moment
uncertain, you would see me In the fore
most ranks, to expose myself to their at
tack. There will be the honor of thu
French infantry-the first infantry in thu
world. This victory will terminate you
campaign, and then the peace we shal
make will bo worthy Of France, Of you
and Of me !"
His speech after the battle is a che
deere of military eloquence. He de
clares his satisfaction with his soldiers
he walks through their ranks-he re
minds them whom they have conquered
what they have done, and what will b.
said Of them; but not one word does hi
utter concerning their chiefs. The EN-
peror and the soldiers-France for per
spective-peace for eward--and glor.
Tor a recollection what q commencement
and what termination!
"Soldiers ! I am satisfied with you
you have covered your eagle with immor
tai glory. An army Of one hundred
thousand men, commanded by the En-
perors of Russia and Austria, has been
in less than four hours, cut to pieces an(
dispersed whoever has escaped you
sword has been drowned in the lakes
Forty stands of colors-tho standards o
the Imperial Guard Of Russia--one hun
dred and twenty pieces of cannon, TWEEN
ty generals, and more than thirty thou
sand prisoners, are the result Of this day
forever celebrated. That infantry, 8
much boasted of, and in numbers SO su
perior to you, could not resist your shock
and hCnceforth you have no longer an,
| rival to fear. Soldiers when the Frencl
people placed the Imperial crown upol
my head, i entrusted myself to you;
relied upon you to maintain it in tn
high splondor and glory which alone cal
give it value in my eyes. Soldiers
will soon bring you back to France ther
you will be the object Of my most teude
solicitude 1t will be sufficient for 20,
to cay, II was at the battle of Austerlitz,
in order that your countrymcn may an
swer, !" Volta an brave"
| --.as.-