Maryland free press., 1866-05-03
HIST RICAIs 8 X z T C H.
Anecdotes of Napoleon.

WHEN the French Revolution was at its height,
and RobcspiGrrc was extending the reign OF
terror over France, large number OF rOyalist
in the the south of France threw themselves
into Toulon, in which city there was a large
majority in favor of the old monarchy. Toulon
was the great depot for the fleet of the republic,
and its magazines and arsenals were stored
with all tho munitions af war. The royalsls
took possession of the place, and then invited
tile combined fleet of England and Spain TO en-
tcrthe harbor, and surrendered the fleet, and
the town with all its tortiicatiOns TO the enemy.
The pride anil rage fthe republic were reused
to the highest. pitch. Two powerful armies
were Immediately sent to rcclpture the town.
But English troops, well entrenched and ahun-
dainty supplied with food and ammunition, are
not easily put to flight. Forty Thousand men
encamped around the walls under tile command
of Gen. Cartoux portrait painter from Paris
who knew nothing Of the art of war. Weeks
and months passed away during which no real
progress WIS made in conducting the seige. AT
last Napoleon, then Young man of ~ who
had acquired, in the military school a high rep
utation for science, talent and energy was sunt
TO Tvulon to take charge Of Il battalion OF artil-
ery. lie immediately SAW the folly of the
measures which were pursued, and changing the
whole direction of affairs, by those powers ut
mind which invariably gave him tile command
wherever he appeared, infused new vigor intu
all the operations of the army. lie 'pcnei
principles of science us he was sure would lead
to successful results. .-r
unc day II long procession of carriages was
seen approaching the Paris road. They were
fifteen in nuinler, and upon their ARRIVAL four
gentlemen alighted from each. with fierce mott
slaches and terrible uniform. VI ith authority
as Commissioners, from the Government in the
metropolis, this fresh and glossy army of sixty
slop-keepers demanded to he led to the head
quarters of the commander-in-chicf Napoleon,
from the batteries he was experimenting, wit
messed The scene, and quietly putting spurs u
his horse, gillUped over the plain, and arrived
ut the Generals tent in advance of tile delegs
tion.-Soon they entered and one of their NUM-
bcr who was the appointed orator of the body,
in granioqucnt speech thus addressed Car
| t0ux; .. ...
"Citizcn General! We come from Paris.
The patriots are Indignant at your inactivity
and delay. The soil Of the Republic has been
violated. She trcnlbl,s TO think that the insult
/ still remains unavenged She asks, why is
Tuulon not yet taken Why is tue English
fleet not yet destroyed? In her indignation
she has appealed TO her bra, soks. We have
obeyed her expectations We are volunteer
eunners from Paris. Furnish us with arms.
| Tomorrow we will march to the enemy"
| The General who stood, in great awe OF the
Jacobin Government, from whom he had re-
ceived his commission, aud at whose slightest
ntinlation his head must fall, WIS not u little
disconnected by this speech. Napoleon, wis
stood by his side, Immediately relieved him
from his embarrassment. by Whispering to
him, Turn these gentlemen over TO me--i VIII
| take care of them" The young artillery officer
cntcrtaincd them with great hospitality for the
night, and carly the next morning, as the day
WAS broaking conducted them to the setshore,
and gave them charge of several pieces OF artil-
lery, which during the darkness, lie had ordered
10 he stationed there. Through the grey OF ths
morning there was discerncd. floating upon the
wafer, the black siiid mammoth hull Uf an Eng
| s.Gcntcmcn," said Napoleon, with impurtur-
| liable gravity, there is formidable battery.
With this l wish you TO blow To pieces that ship
Of the enemy, or to compel them TO retire from
| The coast, which is nsultcd by its presence y
The shup-ktSpers who had bern thus .aesirous "f
laying aside The useful stick for the destructive
| r,liurad looked around with nervous aieasness
upon their exposed situation, and inquired II
there was no shelter from the shells and the balls
which might he thrown among them ffom tile
ship. Just then john Bull, discerning by the
increasing light upon the shcre, the guns and
the rabhe crowd, uttered one Of his most sulien
i growis, and n whole broadside of cann@n balls
flew whstlng over the heads of the terrified al
lies This was not the amusement they had
bargaiied for and the awhoe b0dy 81 fhragga-
iueius took ito prccpitate flight. Napoleon,
who, believing in destiny" was rendered in
sensible TO fear, sat upon his horse as IL neither
shell nor hsll could hurt him. Not even smils
indicated the satisfaction he experienced in vitw
Of the expulsion from the camp of such trouble
some allies. Privately they entered thcir earra-
goa and were heard of no more.
Napoleon with energy pushed forward his
wcparations. Iu Il few weeks his batteries were
ready: and one dark te,ppestuous night. when
wind and rain were sweeping cntrenchmenfs
and flooding the ditches,, the awful scene of tbs
onset ensiicd 1t was the volcainic bursting
forth of the genius of Napoleon. The horrors
wheh easued no tongue can adequately tell
!. Toulon after hcing ieluged in blood, was recap
tured. The English and spanish fleets wcr'
driven from the Zharbor and the military GO
MUS of Napoleon was established. Says Waltc
scoot mosi cloqucntly-'It wns on this mig 1T o.
terror, cautl,gratian, tears, and blood that tht
star ut Napoleon asreaded the horizon; ans
though 1t CLEANED DER many scene of horrn'
ere II set, II may be doubtful whether its igh
was ever blended with that ofone more dread
+ full" '... ....... re. ts ,6,
, H. ji ~ Swearing Alone. iHgU