New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-02-16
A ROMANCE OF THE FRENCH EN-.
PRE-.

Translated for the Republican
Merry. in hie Merits NalienneS. relates :he
incidents which follow as told by the
Countess Lpona, the sister Of Napoleon
and tn: widow Of Murat
While italy was under the military cen
troll Of France disturbance occurred one
OF our regiments Ill garrison at LlVornla.
IL was q very serious atfdir-mpCh more
grave than a mere meeting. The Emperor
was greatly provoked when ne heard this
news, and determined to make ii severe
EXAMPLE of the Offenders. /" Nu'at was
committed the punishment 81 this democrat
lied regiment. The orders we're precise
and terrible. He did not OrGer court
martial. but the immediate exec u;I0n Of the
offenders. Murat arrived nj LivUrnia and
ordered the regiment on parade. tie an
nouucrd to the soldiers that he hdG received
orders from the Emperor to punish them. and
that their punishment was inevitable. HIS
earnest language, impetuOus and threaten
ing manner. and, above all. the awe OF his
very name, had already subdned The rebel.
liOus command the soldiers Eel! upon their
knees. They were humble aud suppliant.
MuTat was moved. So kind Of hear! was
he But his orders were Imperative. He
restrained his emotions. lie preserved the
angry expression Of o IntrnaDce. aud ia a
every tenth man shot r. You may well i'm.
agine. the CONSERVATION WAS very great.
The regiment, imprisoned III their barracks,
cent many Occupations tu Murat TO demand
pardon. Officers and men swOre 10 seek
death i'll the first battle. under the eye of
the Emperor. Murat continued intieXibe-
at least. i'll appearance. At last he seemed
touched with such deep coptrtion. But the
often vas so great and the order - positive
l., haF nj Il J1p
from The principal offenders. should expiatc
with their lives the crime OF the regiment.
The three victims We're sOrn selected, placed
in the guardhUuse, and their execution an.
nounced for next day. The regiment re
manned under arrest. At midnight Murat
ordered the officer of the guard. III whom
he had perfect confidence. to bring tue three
soldiers before him.
"IUU Will be shot tO-mCIrUw. sa d NUTat.
The soldiers burst into tears.
prepare yourselves :or death. and fail
ike brave men. to bury your rr.lue in Oh
lIvIon vii! transmit your last afie,!s anG
regrets 20 your parents. They have not
deserved TO have such children as you have
proven yourselves to be. Have ynu thought
of your mothers! Their s"bs oppressed
their vOices.) Those poor women would
have been proud and famous i: v1u had
fallen before the hustrians. But here. and
thus Miserable men! go. ! vii. send q
priest to afford you the consultations oil re-
lgion. Think of France and of God.
From this moment you have Nc further con.
Germ with the world"
The condemned threw themselves al the
feet of Murat, not to beg their lives. but
his pardon before death. IS theT were so.
ing ont Murat called them back.
Listen" said he. "io! may live. VIII
you be good menu
NO" replied one of the men. I'VE have
deserved death. Let US be shot. /; : but
right"
And II do not wish yon to he shot."
said Murat. why DO You wish 10 die,
when ! wish that you should live ! have
never ordered men to fire except npon the
enemy. ! do not wish to give such an order
against you, who are my brothers-French-
men-thOugh very culpable." And Murat,
sand The Countess wept also like a woman.
He, the bravest of men. Was he not a .en-
!leman?
LipOna. who narrated This !nc!den. If her
heroic husband:
After pause she continued:
Attend. said Murat. with voice soft
tLeQ by emotion. You have been very
guilty. unt am glad 70 recognize in yon
certain qualities of courage anG character.
You will and me. grant You your lives.
bu. NoG lnuSt I've as dead men TO n. the
world, and especially to your regiment.
Tomorrow al dusk you viii Ice led out "a
he gate Q: Pisa. upon the slope OF the torti.
htat!ons. lou Will receive the fire Of
platoon a: twenty PAGES. and You
VII !an dead. A: this momrD: :nr
Last HE ~ yuUr regiment. which
~ relieved iron. garrison Gu,r here.
Will pas. "ruL The road. The ob-
scnr!ty viii favor you. i man whose
will he purchased viii place You
upon Il tumbrii and you Will be aiken to
the cemetery. There YOU will find sailors
clothes, and You will each receive 1000
francs. You vii! remain concealed. iunr or
five days in sailors boarding house which
Will b. shown you. Within that tlur An
American vessel will leave Tor New Or.
leans. You viii live there IN future and
lead honest lives. Do yoE understand
You will go on board as soon - The wind
hall serve. Be on your guarG aud obey
orders strictly. Go, | will care :o: Your
families
The prisoners shed abundant tears, and
repeatedly assured him with many protesta-