Smyrna times., 1867-01-09
NJ l S CELLANEOUS
Jacques Dufour.

On the 24th OF October, 1912, the First
corps OF the French army having received an
oruer 70 eVacuate Moscow, arrived at Maloi-
Jaroslayetz in time to share in the elorious en-
gagement in which Prince Eugene at the head
OF the Fourth Corps, proved victorious over
the forces OF the enemy. The battle was OBJ
stlnate and bloody, and the little town was
vigorously and gallantly contested on both
SIDES, and was several times taken and retaken
before the close of the day, when the French
ultimately secured its possession.
Colonel Kobilinski, one of the aides-de-camp
OF Marsha! DavouSt, while galloping along the
line to deliver an order, was struck by a can
non-shot, fell from his horse, and was suppos-
ed to have been killed; but as the Marshal was
riding over the field, man covered with blood
suddenly raised himself upon his elbow in the
midst OF a heap Of dead and family exclaimed:
hat comrades, will you leave me here
| to perish without help?'
| 1t was Colonel Kobilnski who, it was gene
rally believed, should he have escaped with life
must have fallen into the hands of the enemy.
A litter was hastily constructed by the men of
the escort, and the sufferer was soon under the
hands OF surgeon. His wound was, nowey-
er, OF SO tnghttul nature that, when it had
been carefully examined, the surgeon exchang-
ed with Davoust glance which betrayed that
he had no hope Of saving his patient. Never
theless, by desire of the Marshal, with whom
the gallant young Pole was an especial favor
lite, it was resolved that his wounded leg should
be amputated at the hip; but the agony of thu
operation proved so intense that Kobilinsk
: having as a last farewell, convulsively pressed
the hand OF his General, once more became un
, conscious
On the following day an order arrived 70
y Davoust Immediately to quit the Kalouga roa,
1t and to fall back upon that of wilma, from
winch point the retreat was to be effected an
the troops were already in the act of commen
eng their march when an officer, whom th
Marshal had sent to inquire into the state
his ald-de-camp, returned with the informs
ton that, contrary to all the expectations of th
surgeon, ne still lived. Davoust, resolved ths
the unfortunate man should not be abandone
in his last hours to the vengeance of the Ru
sisns, was still unable to devise any means {
! transport which would insure his safety. III
= hospital wagons had been left in the rear; q
the baggage was burnt what was to be don,
Suddenly thought struck him, and, halting
n company Of grenadiers who at the nome,
= were filling before him, he said impressivel,
Its Soldiers my aid-de-camp, Colonel Ko6
linski, has had his thigh shattered by ball.
He is, as you all know, Pole, and he mu
not be allowed to fall into the hands of the b
terest enemies Of his country. He has serv
at. France well and bravely, and it is but fifth
of that Frenchmen should show how to repay &
debt. / confde him to the care of your col
pany. 1t will be service of danger, as, tn
burdened, you will be unable to keep up wi
cs. your comrades on a forced march but KIN
IIes that you will do your duty when tell you
Of guard him as saeredly as you would guard yc
colors"
A murmur of assent ran along the line. I
> grenadiers fell back in order that the troops
whom they had hitherto been followed mil
advances and then, having laid Kobilinski
,F commodiously as they were able to do upon
"N' litter, they placed him in the centre Of
company, and followed the retrograde mo
on. ment OF the army. With the tenderness
women rather than the roughness of war-b,
en- veterans, they bore the wounded man alo
81. occasionally stopping to change his bearers,
to deprive themselves of q portion Of h
ID, own clothing to protect him still more f
and, the piercing cold -'''' =
ear Meanwhile the sufferer-grateful for the
DEL OF his jealous companions, exulting in the
hoped-for kindness Of bis beloved eomman