The Shasta courier., 1866-04-14
POniatOwski.

Inc name of Joseph Poniatowski is ia.
millar alike to French and Polish ears, and
oy both nations is he equally honored.
Poniatowski claims Warsaw as his native
place. where he was born in the year 1868.
lie figured in the unsuccessful struggles of
i.92 and '94, and subsequently, attached
himself to the French service, in which he
continued to distinguish his name until
1914. He commanded corps in 1913,
composed Of French and Polish soldiers
which was always stationed as an advance
guard. In order to bind him more closely
to the interests of France, Napoleon ap-
pointed him Marshal of the Empire.
Arranging for the retreat from Leipsic,
the Emperor gave his final orders to each
Chief IN succession. Poniatowski stated that
out OF the eight thousand men he had but
the remaining eight hundred "Well.
then, replied the Emperor, ''lt is to you
and yours, Prince Poniatowski, that l
leave the duty of covering my retreat-eight
hundred heroes are worth eight thousand
men," Faithful to their orders, this brave
body accomplished their perilous duty.
Ponlatowski, on receiving his orders,
went directly to the fauburg, and command
ing the troops to shorten their ranks, he de-
ilvered the message of Napoleon to them
just at this moment the alarm was spread of
fresh attack by the enemy. "The allies
are marching towards the town. was hur-
rlediy passed from mouth to mouth, and all
telt that the hour of peril had indeed arriv.
ed.
The Emperor and Murat babe adieu to
Frederick Augustus, and passing Ponia.
towski, they reached the gate of Halle By
this time the havoc had become terrific the
bridge was blown up, and the trees were
scattered in every direction Yet no dis.
order prevailed in this little body of devoted
men. There were now two rivers to be
passed, and without bridges but there was
no quailing. no thought of attempting to
desert their desperate undertaking. AT
length the advice was hazarded, for g. the
General to reserve himself for future SER
vice-to follow the example of the Saxon
army" The reply of Poniatowski was
worthy of his nature: God has confded
to me the honor of the Polanders-it is to
him only will | return it," As the enemy
gained upon them, he drew his sword, aud
animated his soldiers by his example urging
them to die rather than yield.
The ranks of the dead before them served
as kind of protection, and from behind
they poured an ncessant fire upon the allies
They repelled the attack of bayonet in a
manner that fairly astonished the opposing
commanders During whole hour they
continued the contest when destitute OF
cartridges, and, in fact, whilst almost en-
trely unarmed. But such efforts could not
but terminate. Ponatowski threw himself
upon horse and plunged in the Pleisse
his horse struggled for little. and then
sank beneath the waves. The Prince was
rescued by his devoted aid de-camp, and
they both succeeded in reaching the bank
then crossing the meadow they arrived at
Elster. Here new horse was given to
Poniatowski, ana again he dashed into the
water. All efforts to save were this time
unavailing; both rider and horse went
down, and PoniatQwski was lost to Poland
and the world.
The body was afterwards recovered, and
found its last resting place at Cracow, near
the ashes of John Sobieski.