The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-04-20

ConventionY
"Yes !" was the only word spoken in re-
ply.
There was a little hesitation and then the
president asked
care you aware of the magnitude of what
you undertake to do?"
Napoleon raised himself to his full stat
ure, and as his eagle eye flashed upon those
who sat near the president, he seemed to
have grown to be a giant. They quailed be-
fore the burning glance.
81 understand perfectly he replied ;
"and | am in the habit of accomplishing
that which | undertake. But one thing is
indispensable: ! must have the unlimited
command entirely untrammeled by any or
ders from the Convention"
There was no time for debate The in
surgents were in arms, and already adyan-
cling. Napoleon's terms were acceded to
and he was placed in command. 1t is doubt
full if the captain ever displayed his great
quality of genius skill and courage more
emphatically than on this occasion. He
showed that the true powers of the battle
chief were not to be gained by study; they
were born with the mau.
Mo ments were precious. As wehave al
ready said, the insurgents to the number of
between forty and fifty thousand, and all
armed, were organized, and in motion. A
short distance from the city were forty pieces
of cannon, with their machinery intact and
caissons supplied with ammunition. This
park of artillery the insurgent leaders had
marked, and meant to secure it very soon.
They did not need the field pieces quite yet.
Among Napoleon's officers who had served
with him. and whose quality he knew, was
a young captain named joachim Murat
whom he dispatched to secure these guns
t. and bring them to the city. At the head of
three hundred picked cavalry, Murat was
quickly dashing away at headlong speed,
and arrived at the park just as band of
Jacobin soldiery, sure of the prey, had hitch
ed to some of the limbers. There weae no
lives lost there. Murat's charge was like a
,g whirlwind, and the insurgents flew before it
I'd like chaH The guns were conveyed safely
to Paris,and by Napoleon taken tothe Tuii-
leries, and 50 placed AS to sweep with their
muzzles every avenue leading to that all i'm
~ portant quarter, for in this place the young
commander caused to be stored all the arms
ammunition and provisions which his ener
getic details had found and seized in differ
ent parts of the city.
~ There is no need that we should give il
- detail all that Napoleon did during the sin
gle night of the fourth of October. The ma
jority of our readers would gather no intor
nation of value from the enumeration o
the fortified points and passes. Suffice it tt
say that the man who had undertaken, wit
five thousand men, to overcome five an
ed forty thousand reckless, desperate insurgents
is. did not sleep. Every point was looked ia
d and every post manned under his o wn eye
ed And, mind you, he not only planned fo
as conquest, but he planned for reverse as wei
ce Had he found retreat necessary, his place {
cd retreat was selected, and every precautio
IT, taken against surprise, and against the CON
ow ing in of munitions or assistance to tn
its enemy
it'll In the meantime the insurgent section
he were preparing for the onset. They kne
he that General Bonaparte from Toulon, Wa
ess arranging to oppose them, but they laughe
all at the idea. Bah what he could he 4
ed with the sections of Paris? He could onl
95, summon the Conventions guard, and tt
ns that insignificant body they cared nothin!
he They had organized an insurrectionary go
af- ernment had passed an act outlawing Il
/ .I. y ~ A..
ri had established a court or tribunal of justi,
vas for the trial and punishment of such
In should persist in restraining their authorit
ost When it came to organize for military NOV
vas ment there were not only Jacobin genera
n. of experience and known courage to lea
lii them, but many officers Of the ultra Roya
ers lists.
be. We have spoken of the National Guard
the being true TO the Convention, because whe
III. they rebelled they ceased to be Nations
EEL troops; but in reality the bulk of VIII
md is properly termed the National Guard,
i've least thirty thousand of them, well ofiicere
at and thoroughly armed, and led by the vete
rn- an general Danican, were the insurgents.
ion Napoleon had performed his marvelol
ion work during the night of the fourth of Oct
,ec- ber. The morning Of the fifth dawned upo
and Paris in arms. The alarm-bells of the SCI
en- tions were ringing, and from many quartz
bile the long roll was sounding. The insurgen
nd gathered rapidly, mastering at appontC
ted rendezvous, and at an early hour were reaC
at to march Their first point was the Conve
IL; H. |, -;
ing ton, when lhey meant 10 sweep irom eSi
ned tence. They laughed to scorn the idea
and serious resistance to their Overwhelmil
numbers. They held in utter contempt Il
n few poor troops which the Legislative asser
be bly, could muster. AT last the bugle-bla
rent was sounded by Danican's herald, and 4
and tens of thousands Of insurrectiOnary soldit
for marched with wild, demoniac shoutings
,ant the work of blood and devastation, feeli
lor. sure of an easy victory
In the Convention the members, some
Irri- their seats and some gathering at the wi
was dows trembled with alarm. They hea
i of the yells. of the infuriate mob, and kn,
ings that their lives were in the issue Coz
him their youthful general save them?
and Napoleon, as he stood by the side o
gun near the Tuilleries, looked older than
n to had looked four-and-twenty hours befo
rras Still pale, but calm and stern, he stood,
n in solved to do or to die, "Let them strike
lead first blow" he said, and then added, il
sut- manner which those who saw and hei
ner- never forgot "I'oW take the responsible
onal of the second !"
Ere long the insurgents came in sight
h in serried, plunging masses, with music soul
as ing and flags hying-came from every qr
d on ter, completely filling the streets, and bio
oint- ing every avenue. They were eager and