Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-11-27
MY CAPTAIN.

One fine evening in the month OF July, an 81
old soldier of the "Grande Armee," who had
left one OF his arms on the field of battle, was
seated at the door Of his pretty cottage. be was
surrounded by group OF young VniSSers, VIM n
TO tell them some ofhis military adventures.
After a moment of pretended resistance TO their
wishes, the Old man took his pipe rom MS
mouth, passed the back OF his remaining mana
across his lips and thus commenced NV
tale: III
uIn my lime, my friends, the French would -
have disdained TO fight against Frenchmen IN =
the streets, as they do In these DAVIS no, no.
when we fought, it was for the honor OIL france
anil againsther foreign enemies But my story q
commences on the 9th of November, lSl2,
short time after the battle Of Wanna. we
beat retreat, not before the Russians, for
they were al a respectable distance tro our
camp but before the sharp and bitter cold OF
their detestable countIy-a cold more terrible
to us than the Russians and bavarians, all phi
together. Il
"During the preceding days our emeers hsu
told us that we were approaching Smolensko |
where we should get food, fire, brandy and
shoes; bat in tie meantime we were perlshihs
in the glaciers, and continually harrassed Dy the
Cossacks. We had marched for six hours |
without stopppg to take breath for we knew
that reposs was certain death. An icy wind
blew the drifting snow in our faces, and from
time TO time we stumbled over Inc frozen COTS
even complaints were no longer heard, and that
wa. bad sign marched by the side OF my
captain; short, strong built rough and severe,
but brave and true as the blade Of his sword.
We called him "Captain Obstinate, for When
once he said thing it was liked, he never
changed his opinions. He had been wounded
at WANNA and his usually crimson face was
then CHASTITY pale while ragged white hand
kerchief all stained with blood, was bound
around his head and added to the psor OF his
at l him stalQpr
his legs like drunken man, then fall like a
block to the ground.
"Morbleu, captain" said l, bending over him,
you cannot remain here.
"You see that can. since | do replied he
showing his legs.
"Captain,' said /, you must not give way
lifting him in my arms, tried 10 put him on
his feet. He leaned on me and attempted to
walk, but in vain; he fell again, dragging me
with him.
."Iobin,' said he, .all is over. Leave me here
and in your company as quickly as possible
One word before you goat Noreppe, neal
Grenoble, lives woman, eighty-two years Of
aye, my mother Go and see her, embrace hel
Tor me, and tell her that--that-te her wha
LII, - $3.50 L. . 'I.sA~ ssa." nd nat nrsoSS
AdeHr My friends, do not know how it was
but felt two tears roll down my cheeks.
"'No captain will not leave you; eithe
you come with me, ar will remain will
yon.'
81 forbid you TO remain
"'You may place me under arrest, then
you like, but At present you must let me do a
please
you are an nsolent fellow ."
"'Very good, Captain, but you must cont
with me-. lie bit his lips with rage, but said IL,
more. lifted him and carried him OH MI
shoulder like a sack. You can easily iuagin
that with such burden could not keep pac
with comrades. In fact,l soon lost sight q
their columns, and could dsceIa nothing a
round me but the white and sieut PLAIN
still walked on.when presently appeared lroo
of Cossacks gallOping towards me, h fnrou
gesticulalions and wild cries
"The captain was by this lime completed
insensible, and resolved whatever It nigh
cost me, not to abandon him laid him dew
on the ground, and covered him with snow
then crept beneath heap Of dead bodies, lea
wing, however, my eyes at liberty. Present.
The C0ssacks came up and bPgiu 10 strike wit
their iances right and left, while their horse
Irampled us under their feet. One Of the
heavy beasts set his foot upon my right arr
and crushed it. Ny friends, did not speak
did moi s..r put my night hand in my mout
To stihe the ely OF torture which nearly escape
from me, and ia a lew in.nliies the Cossacl
had dispersed.
When the last OF them hd Disappeared
quilted my refuge and proceeded 10 disinler III
Captain. To my Joy he gave some signs orlif
contriSed TO carry him with my one arm Il
wards rock which offered 4 sort OF shete
AMI thin lad myself by his side, wra
ping my COAX around us both
1.-THE night had closed and the snow cnntin
ed to fail.
"The rear guard had long since isaplearc,
and the only sound that broke the Stiffness
the night was the whistle OF the bullet, or II
wolves feastine on The eorpses HAT lay stretc
I'd around. Tod knows what ihonglls passt
through my soul during that dreadful Nigh
which felt sure would be iny last on cart
But remembered the prayer which my mothe
had taught me long before, when was chill
at her knee, and, bending low, repeated
with fervor
"NIy children, that did me good and remeu
Der Away That a sincere and iervent prayer
sure to comfort you. felt asonishingy calmt
when returned 10 my place by the Capital
But the time passed and | had fallen irto
state of halt stupor when saw a group
French officers approach. Before had tin
to speak to them their Chief 4 little man Dire
sed In fur pelisse, stepped forward iowa
me, and said:
"'What are you doing here WHY are &,
away from your regiment?'
Fer two good reason,' said |, pointlr
hrst to the captain, and then 10 my bleedil
ARM
"The man says true, sire, said one OF tho
who followed him: 4 saw him marching
the rear of his regiment AMI carving this a
hcer on his back"
1.-The Emperor-i1f, my friends, it was he.
gave me one OF those saitces that only hc
the eagle Of the Alps could give, and said:
at is well, You have done very Well
'Then opening his pessr, he took the cro
which decorated his green coat and cave il
me.
At the ia>fant Wa, 80 longer lr@-rry. /
longer Colt tlt II" Ina.,' l,ani from iIy ar
Than 1t tLI Awkward Ina ! had n .,rr touc
I'd IL.
" 'Da'oust, added ri,- tMpetoi address,
the ohcer who had spoken 20 him, see TIA
man aud mis- captain placed IN one OF the ba
gage wagons. Adieul And making rue 1 motto
Of the hand, he went away
Here the veteran ceased ami ;a=t,ned b
pipe.
"But tell us what became of Captain Ob7t
nate" cried many impatient voices
"Ihe captain recovered, and is now gener;
on the retired list. But the best of the Joke Wa
that as soon as he got well, he put me unl,
arrest for fifteen days as a punishment for m
infraction of discipline.
"This circumstance came 10 the ear Of N,
poeon, and after laughing heartily, lie not onI
caused me to BIZ set free, but promoted me |
the rank OF sergeant AS to the decoration. IN
children, here is the rbbo at my button hol
Dut the cross wear next to my heart.
And opening his vest, he showed hls eag,
audience the precious relic, suspended fro,
his neck in little satin bag.