Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1870-04-28
TRIGAUD.


1RAohC COs
AsOrvEsyR or Tflx RsrRzAT FROM MOSCOW
On the 18th Of October, 1879, Napo-
leon, accompanied by the Prince d. Eek
mshi. better known as Marshsl Davo1st,
cemmsnding the FIRST division. ,eommen-
'ced chat evsLtful retreat from Moscow, 50
Disastrous 10 the immense army that had
followed him. At the close Of a march
that hsd been rendered more diiicult by
the state Of the roads and coutinaed rain,
the Emperor arrived on the 23rd. a. Bor-
rowsk. and there passed the night. The
next morning, while Indicating the order
Of march so az TO gain Slareo-J Jaro-slavi,z,
where he depended on making some stay.
he learned that. at the distance Of four
leagues before him. the Dtlzian division.
under the Prince Eugene. hadfound that
village, with the surrounding woods and
heights. unoccspied. Iris ras an in-
portsnt position to maintain for the
Russian General Kutusoff, who marched
parallel with the Fresch army, might
possibly seize on il. aud thus cut of the
route u Kalouga. Wishing to assure
himself Of the taking possession of this
point, the Emperor rode to the quarter
from whence it wss expected the Russian
General would make the attack and des-
/ pite the torrents Of rain, TRANQUILITY exam
ined the ground which might ere bng
become a field of battle. Suddenly the
SQUAD Of brisk firing struck on his car
He became restless and. pressing his
horse, ascended hi!lock to reconnoitre
but the belt Of wool intercepted any ex-
tended view.
Scan the Russians have been bafore-
hand with us 7" demanded he of Davoust
who had not quilted bis side eve have
not marched quick enough. I should
no. wish to rcpass the left wing of Kusu-
soff."
"Sire." replied the Prince Of d'Ech-
mulhl. "perbaps, in the marGnvrc pre-
scribed BY your majesty. the troops may
have manifested little Of that dulness
which usually accompanies great fatigue. +"
Believe you 90. Monsieur le Marshal?
Nevertheless, We have already passed more
than six leagues"
cit is true, sire but Moscow is not
more than one hundred and sixty verts
from Marco-Jaro slavitz. -Four days
march are sufficient to clear tha. distance,
and this is our sixth day. Kutusoff has
been in advance of u.s."
at is then battle" said Napoleon.
impatieptly. as the cannons were heard
more distinctly, and seemed to be ap-
preaching "Go. Davoust. 60 quicken
your troops, and infuse little more spir-
it into them /; for we must act 'now-not
to conquer but solely to preserve
Notwithstanding the haste with which
the Marsha. 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-
nanGed by Fryant. attempted to take
possession cf the heights. the Russian
cannon played upon them with redouhlcd
vigor. Davoust Immediately despatched
one Of his aides-de-camp, the Colonel
Koblinski. to Prince Eugene but in ira.
versing the line, that pfiicer was struck BY
bullet, which shattered his thigh, ami
Instantly fell from his horse.
On the night of that brilliant combat
the Prince d'Eckmuhl was still uncertain
of the fate Of his aidc-dc-camp. and sought
him on the field of battle, which pre>cn-
ted most horrible spectacle. Dezou
ard his brother general had also fallen
while leading the last attack While sad
" thinking on the blightod hopes of hi,
Emperor, aud mourning the sad fate OF
his brave c,mpaniohs. the attention OF
Davoust was arrest i by the voice Of =
soldier. w'o. covered with blood, AMI en-
dcavoring tn cxtricitc him self from heap
OF c,rnagc ,ha, surrounded him, teehly
exclaimed. Heavens have my friends
left me here to die without succOr 2
1t was Kob'iuski Davoust immedi
a,cly recogu'z i him. and ltaping from
bis horse. gently raised sim in his arms.
chesrei his droo?ing spirits and despatch
cd n messenger for the surgeon general
On his arrival with his assistants he ex-
amincd the wouads, and gl,ucc with The
Marshal. told more e'o1uentlv than words
could convey. how slight were the hopes
entertained for the recovery of the unfor-
suuate Pole.
1T is a soldiers fate" said Davoust,
With emotion. "Geutlsmen, exert Your
skill to the utmost"
The effect Of the bullet had been such
as 10 make amputaiion necessary, which
tho brave Pole bore with forsitude, the
prince remaining BY bis side during the
operation. The wound being dressed, he
embraced the sufferer. and spoke in tones
Of hope aud encouragement and havin 2
recommended him to the care Of few
whom be could eoufie in. mounted his
horse to join the Emperor, who waited
with impaticnce. sr
After attending council Of s.-, com.
posed Of the principsl geoerals Of the
army. and having recsiysd instructions as
to the future line Of march. Davouss re-
tired to his quarssrs. Already the two
fret Divisions Of che suo u6rst CORPS, vsre
in msvsaasss vasa - of6ee,. Whom he
bad ssss 10 enquire afsse ths snsa &C Kob-
liashi. .sssssea sad iaissnsA tsh.s be