The Van Buren press., 1875-06-01

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fell in battleo
His companion promised that he would
do all he could and if the truth could
not be kept back, it should be so faith
fully told that the name of Jerome Du
bos should not bear dishonor in tn,
minds of t!ose who had loved him ii
other duys.
Mornisg came, dull and gloomy, will
driving sleet and snow and at an early
hour jerome Dubois was led forth tt
meet his fate The place Of execution
had been fixed upon low, barren spo
towards the sea, and thither his division
was being marched to witness the fearfu
punishment. They had gained not more
than half the distance, when the sound o
strange commotion broke upon Tho
wintry air, and very shortly an aide de
camp came dashing 10 the side OF th'
chief Of the brigade, with the cry:
"A sertic A sortic. The enemy ar,
ont in force. Let this thing be stayed
The marshal directs that you fase about,
and advance upon the peninsula
In an instant all was changed in that
division, and the brigadicr who had TEN
porary command, Numbered forth his
orders for a couutermarch. The gloom
was dissipated and with glad hearts the
soldiers turned from thoughts Of the ex
ecution of brave comrade tosthoughts
Of meeting the enemy for already the
sound of battle was heard on the ont
posts, and they knew very well il the
ID , al hol Aoni1n1 70
make an attack, it would be in full force
and Of a desperate character
What shall we do with the prisoner 2
asked the sergeant in charge of guard.
Lead him back to the camp said the
captain.
The direction was very simple, but the
execution thereof was not to be so easy ;
for hardly had the words escaped the
lips OF the captain, when squadron OF
Prussian cavalry came dashng directly
towards them The division was quick.
" formed into four hollow squares, while
the guard found themselves obliged to
fee
In Gods namer cried jerome. cut
my bonds, and let me die like a soldier.
The sergeant quiakly cut the cord that
bound his elbows behind him, and then
dashed to the point where his own com
pany was stationed, The rattle Of mus
kerry had commenced, and the Prussians
were vainly endcavoring to break the
the squares of French troops. jerome
Dubois looked about him for some wea.
pom with which to arm himself, and pres.
emily he saw a Prusslan officer not far of
rceling in his saddle, as though he had
been wounded. With quick bound he
reached the spot, pulled the dying otll
Ger from his seat, seized the heavy sabre,
.";ess Jed into the empty saddle, and dashed
away from full platoon Of the enemy
that was charging down towards him.
Dubois was fully resolved that he
would sell his life on that day-sell 1t in
behalf Of France-and sell it as dearly
as possible. But he was uot needed
where he was. He knew that the Prus.
slams could not break those hollow
squares, so he rode away thinking to join
the French cavalry, with whom he could
rush into the deepest danger. Supposing
that the heaviest fighting must be upon
the Nebrung, he reined his horse in that
direction, and when he reached it, he
found that he had not been mistaken,
Upon slight eminence towards Hagels
burg, the enemy had planted a battery Of
heavy guns, supported by two regiments
nents Of infantry, and already, With shot
and shell, immense damage had been
done.
Lefebvre rode up shortly after this bat
terry had opened. and very quickly made
up his mind that it must be taken at all
hazards
Take that battery he said to colo
mel of cavalry, ana the battle is ours
Dubois heard the order and saw the
necessity. Here was danger enough sure
| ly and determined to be fret at the bat
terry, he kept as near the leader as he
dared to. Half the distance had been
gained, when from the hill came storm
of iron that plowed deeply into the ranks
OF the French
The colonel fell, his body literally torn
to pieces by a shell that exploded against
his bosom. The point of the peninsula
now reached by the head If the assault.
ing column was not more than hundred
yards wide, and it was literally path OF
death, as the fire Of twelve heavy guns
turned upon it. The colonel had fallen,
and very soon three other officers went
down, leaving the advance without a
commissioned leader The way was be
coming blocked up with dead men and
dead horses, and the head of the column
stopped and wavercd.
Lefebvrc. from his elevated post, saw
this, and his heart throbbcd painfully.
If that column were routed, the Russian
infantry would charge over the peninsula
But-sce. man in the uniform OF a
French private, mounted upon powerful
horse, cararisoncd in the trappings of a
Prussian staff officer, with his head bare.
and bright sabre swinging in his hand,
rushes 10 the front, and urges the column
forward. His words are fiery, and his
look Is dauntess.
For France and Lefebvre! the strange
horseman cries, waving his sword aloft,
and pointing towards the battery Our
father will weep If we lose this day!
The brave troopers, thus led by one
who feared not to dash forward where
the shot fell thickcst, gave an answering
shout, and pressed on, caring little for
the rain Of death so long as they had a
living leader to follow Hoping that he
mi ght take the battery, and yet counting
death, Jerome Dubois spurred on The