The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-04-12
WooDSFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO TUESDAY APRIL l2 1870
T r 7 q a u D

T r Z q "A u D
Souvenir Of the Retreat from Moscow
On the 18th of October, 1912, Napo.
leon, accompanied by the Prince d Eek
fnuhl, better known as Marshal Davoust
commanding the first division, ,commcnc
ed that eventtul retreat from Moscow,se
disastrous to the immense army that hao
followed him. At the close of march
that had been rendered more difficult by
the state of the roads and the continued
rain, the Emperor arrived on the>23d al
Borowsk, and there passed the night
The next morning, while indicating the
order of March so as to gain Marco-Ja
roslavitz, where he depended on making
some stay, he learned that, at the dis
tance of four leagues before him, in the
Delzian division, under the Prince Eu
gene, had found that village, with the
surrounding woods and hsights,unoccu-
pied. This was an important position
to MAINTAIN; for the Russian general
Kutuzoff, who marched parallel with the
French army, might possibly seize on it,
and thus cut off the route to Kalorga.-
Wishing to assure himself Of the taking
possession of that point, the Emperor
rode to the quarter from whence it was
expected the Russian general would
make the attack; and, despite the tor
rents of rain, TRANQUILITY examined the
ground which might ere long become q
field of battle Suddenly the sound oi
brisk firing struck on his ear. He be
came restless; and, pressing his horse
ascended hillock, to rsconnoiter, hpt
the belt Of WOOD intercepted any exten-
ded view.
"Can the Russians have been before
hand with us ?" demanded he Of Dayoust
who had not quilted his side. "We have
not marched quick enough. I,should
not wish to repass the left wing of Kut
uzof."
"Sire," replied the Prince D Eckmuhl
"perhaps, in the maneuver prescribed by
your majesty, the troops may have man
ifested a little of that dullness which
usually accompanies great fatigue"
"Believe you so, Monsieur lie Marshal
Nevertheless, we have already passed
more than six leagues.
at is true, Sire; but Moscow is moi
more than one hundred and sixty versts
from Marco-Jaroslavitz. Four days
march are sufficient to clear that dis.
tancs, and this is our sixth day. Kut-
uzoff has been in advance of us"
at is then BATTLE" said Napoleon,
impatiently, as the cannon were heard
more distinctly, and seemed to 5e ap-
preaching go, Davoust, go; quicken
your troops, and infuse little more
spirit into them; for we must act now :
not to conquer, but solely to preserve. ("
Notwithstanding the haste with which
the Marshal executed the orders of the
Emperor, he did not arrive on the scene
Of the action until the success of the
French troops had been assured. How
ever, the combat ragged with fury at the
extremity of the village, and when the
second division of the first corps, COM
manded by Gen Fryant, attempted to
take possession of one Of the heights,
the Russian cannon played upon them
with redoubled vigor. Dayoust imme-
diately dispatched one of his aides-de-
camp, the Colonel Koblinski, to Prince
Eugene; but in travsrsing the line, that
officer was struck by a bullet, which
shattered his thigh, and instantly fell
from his horse.
On the night of that brilliant combat
the Prince D Eckmuhl was still uncertai n
of the fate of his aide-de-camp, and
sought him on the field of battle, which
presented a most horrible spectacle
DNzon and his brother general had also
fallen while leading the last attack
While sadly thinking on The blighted
hopes of his Emperor, and mourning the
sad fate of his brave companions, the
attention of Davoust was arrested by the
voice of soldier who, covered with
blood, and endeavoring to extricate
himself from heap of carnage that sur
rounded him, feebly exclaimed, "Heay-
ems! have my friends left me here to die
without succor?"
1t was Koblinski. Davoust immcdi
ately recognized him, and lcaping from
his horse, gently raised him in his AIMS,
cheered his dropping spirits and dis
patched messenger for the surgeon
general. On his arrival with his assis-
tants, he examined his wounds, and a
glance with the Marshal, told more elo-
quentIy than words could convey, how
slight were the hopes entertained for the
recovery of the unfortunate Pole.
ait is soldiers fate" said Davoust,
with emotion. "Gentlemen, exert your
skill to the utmost"
The effect of the bullet had beea such
as to make amputation necessary, which
the brave Pole bore with fortitude, the
Prince remaining by his side during the
operation. The wound being dressed,
he embraced the sufferer, and spoke in
tones of hope and encouragement; and
having recommended him TO the care of
Il few whom he could confidc in, mounted
his horse to join the Emperor,who wait
ed with impatiencc.
After attending council of war, COM
posed of the principal Generals Of the
army, and having received instructions
as to the future line of march, Davoust
retired to his quarters. Already the
two first divisions Of the first two corps
were in movement, when an officer, whom
he had sent to inquire after the state Of
Koblinski, returned and informed him
that he still survived, and with proper
care might recover. The Marshal was
overjoyei at the intelligence, but he was
perplexed as to the best means of con-
yeying him to Smoleask, the wagons be-
ing in the rear, and already filed TO ex
cess. A sudden thought started to his
mind, and placing himself in front of the
forty eighth regiment as they defiled, he
addressed company of old grenadiers
of the first battalion:
"Grenadiers,' said he, my aide de-
r. 4 -. L.,