Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-11-29
Retreat Of Ney.
BY JOHN s. C. ABBOTT.

BY JOHN s. C. ABBOTT.
One of the most memorable deeds
of fortitude and heroism recorded in !
the annals of war, was performed by
Marshal Ney, in the retreat from Mos
cow With a division Of five thou
sand men he was cut off from the re-
mainder of the French army, Kutu-
soft, the Russian General, with $4,000
men, including numerous cavalry, and
with 200 pieces of artillery, having
effectually blocked up his passage.
Ney, with his little band of half
famished soldiers, wavering in their
languid march, with guns defective
and dirty, and with but six pieces of
cannon, rushed upon the hostile bat
teries, and maintained the unequal
conflict, in the vain endeavor to cut
his way through the masses Of the
foe, until night darkened the field
Then at midnight, with no thought
even Of surrender, he ordered his
troops to turn upon their track, and
march back again into the wilds of
Russia. .I
With amazement the troops heard
this command, which, without hesita-
ton, they obeyed. 1t was a cold
gloomy winters night. The ground
was covered with SNOW, and the
blast pierced the worn-out clothing
of the soldiers. For two or three
hours, IN darkness, they traversed
the savage waste, till they came to a
small river. Breaking the ice, to see
in what direction the current ran.
Ney said: This stream must flow in
to Dneiper. 1t shall be our guide"
The feeble band, cold, weary and
hungry, struggled along until they
reached the Dneiper. Its broad and
rapid current was clogged with float
ing masses of ice, and in one spot
only, which lame peasant conduct
ed them, was the ice sufficiently firm
for them to attempt passage. And
even kere, it was necessary to pass
with the utmost caution. Ney, wrap,
ped in his cloak, slept for an hour
upon the snow, while the troops pass
ed over in single file. The ice bent
and cracked under their feet.
They then attempted to pass the
wagons over, laden with sick and
wounded. The frail surface broke,
and several of the wagons sank
beneath the ice. A few faint cries
only were heard as the sufferers dis
appeared in their cold and icy sep
ulchre. By crossing the Dneiper,
( Ney hoped, in long detour, again to
reach the army. The Russians fol
lowed this feeble band in its re-
treat, keeping beyond musket shot,
but firing necessarily upon their vic
Tins with artillery from every avail
, able eminence.
Napoleon was at Orcha, waiting in
the most intense anxiety. to hear It'd
ings from Ney. Four days passed
without even a rumor Of his fate
The whole army was looking back
: across the Dneiper, hoping to catch
, a glimpse of his advancing columns,
or to hear the report of his artillery.
At the close OF a day of solicitude
and watching, another wintry night
enveloped in its gloom these retreat
, ing, woe-stricken armies. Napoleon
was partaking of q frugal supper
, with Gen. Lefebvre, when a shout of
: JOY was heard in the street and the
words, Marshal Ney is safe" fell
upon his ear. At that moment, a
, Polish officer entered with the tidings
that the Marshal was few leagues
distant, on the banks of the river
, harrassed by pursuing Cossacks, and
in want of immediate assistance
Napoleon sprang from his chair, seized
, the informant 10y both arms, and gaz-
ing into his eyes, exclaimed
"Is that really true? Are you sure
of it? | have two hundred millions
, of gold in my vaults at the Tuilleries.
I would have given them all to save
| Marshal Ney@
Instantly Eugene was despatched
with five thousand men for the rescue
of the Marshal. Eagerly the soldiers
left the bivouac lines for their mid
night march. For six miles they toll
. ed along through the snow, and over
an unknown path, often stopping to
listen if they could hear any sound
of their lost friends. The river
which was their only guide, flowed
; drear and chill at their side, encum
L bered with vast masses of floating
> ice. Gloomy forests of evergreen
4 fIowned along their path, and nc
= sound but the tramp of Eugene'S
battalion disturbed the silence of
i thought.
At length, Eugene ordered his ar
= tillery to be discharged, as sigma
to call the attention of his friends
: Listening anxiously, they heard fal
off in the distance, in apparent re
= sponse, feeble report of musketry
: The Marshal had not single piece
of artillery left. Both parties, how
Il ever, understood the language of theil
. guns, and FASTENED to meet each 9th
: er. They were soon united. OFF
: GERS and soldiers alike threw them
selves into each others arms, anC
Ii many of these war-worn veterans
wept for joy.
The reunited bands. forgetful OF
l. past perils, and the still greater ore.
v they were get to encounter, returned
rejoicing to Orcha. As Marshal Ney
0 with soldierly simplicity and unosten
tation, gave recital Of the dangers
a and difficulties he had surmounted