The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-07-24
Last Charge of the Old Guard.

] pO!eon OlQ Cuafu al v aleltOOs
During the day the artillery of the
Guard maintained its old renown, and the
guard itself had frequently been used to
restore the battle in several parts Of the
/ field, and always with success. The Eng
I lish were fast becoming exhausted, and in
an hour more would bave been forced into
a disastrous retreat, but for the timely ar
rival Of Butcher. Bat when they saw him
with twenty thousand Prussians approach
ing, their courage revived, while Napoleon
was filled with amazement. a beaten
enemy was about to form a junction with
theyallies, while Grouchy, who was sent to
keep them in check, was nowhere to be
/ seen. Alas! what great plans one inefh-
/ cient commander can overthrow.
/ In a moment Napoleon saw that he
conld not sustain the attack Of SO many
fresh troops if once allowed to form juno
ton with the allies, and he determined to
stake his fate upon one bold cast and en-
deayor to force the allied center with a
grand charge Of the Old Guard, and thus
place himself between the two armies. For
this purpose the Imperial guard was called
up and divided into two immense columns.
which were to meet in the British center.
That under Reille no sooner entered the
fire than it disappeared Ike a mist. The
other was placed under Ney, "the brayest
Of the brave" and the order given TO ad-
vance. Napoleon accompanied them part
Of the way down the slope, and hating
few moments addressed to them a few
words. He told them that the battle rested
with them; that he relied on their valor
tried on 50 many fields. give IEmper-
eur answered him with a shout that was
heard far above the thunder Of the artillery
The whole continental struggle exhibited
. no sublimer spectacle than the last effort
of Napoleon to save his sinking empire
The greatest military skill and energy the
world ever possessed had been staked to
the utmost during the day. Thrones were
tottering on the turbulent field, and the
shadows Of fugitive kings fitted through
the smoke Of the battle field. Bonapartes
I star trembled in the zenith; now blazing
ont in its ancient splendour, now paling
before. the anxious eye. The intense anx-
iety with which he watched the advance
Of the column: and the terrible suspense
he endured when the smoke of the battle
wrapped it from his sight, and the utter
despairing shrek rang out "The Guard
recolls. :. makes us for moment forget all /
the carnage in sympathy for his distress.
The Ola Guard felt the presence of the
immense responsibility and resolved not to
prove unworthy the great trust committed
TO them. Nothing could be more impos-
ing than its movement to the assault.
It had never recoiled before human foe,
and the allied forces with awe beheld its
steady and firm advance to the final charge.
For moment the guns stopped playing
and the firing ceased on the British line,
as without the beating of drum, or a bu-
gle-note to cheer their courage, they moved
in dead silence over the field. Their tread
was ike muffied thunder, while the daz-
zli0g helmets of the cuirassers flashed long
lines Of light upon the dark and terrible
mass that swept in one dark wave along
that terrible field. The stern Drouet was
there amidst the guns, and on every brow
was written the unaiterable resolution to
conquer or die. The next moment the
artillery opened aud the head Of the gal
liant column seemed to sink into the earth.
Rank after rank went down, vet they stop
ped not, taterad not DissoIving columns,
whole battallions disappeared one after
another, in the destructive fire, but affected
not their courage. The ranks closed up
as before, and each treading over his fallen
comrade, passed unfinchiDgy Oh.
The horse that Ney rode sank under
him, and scarcely had be mounted another
before 1t also sank to the ground, and 50
then another and another, till FIVE in spc-
cessson had been shot under him. Then
with bis drawn sabre, he marched sternlv
at the head Of the column. In vain did
the artillery hurl It's storm Of hail upon
that living mass. Upon the very muzzIes
they pressed, and driving the artillerymen
from their places pushed on through the
English lines Bot just as the victory
seemed won file of soldiers, who lay fat
on the ground behind a ridge Of earth,
suddenly rose ard poured a yolley in their
faces. Another and another followed, till
one broad sheet Of flame rolled on their
bosoms with such a fierce and unexpected
fire, that they staggered before it. Before
the guard had time ia rally again and ad-
vance, a heavy column of infantry fell on
its left flank in close and deadly voley,
causing it, in its unsettled state, to swerve
to the right. At that instant whole
brigade OF cavalry thundered on the right
flank, and penetrated where cavalry had
never gone before.
The intrepid guard could have borne up
against the unexpected fire from the sol
diers they did not see, aud have rolled back