The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-11-06
BYzHUGH WILSON AND W. G. BENET.

musketry had commenced, and the Prus
SLAMS were vainly endeavoring to breal
the squares Of French troops. Jerom
Dubois looked about him for some wea
pom with which to arm himself, ant
presently he saw Prussian officer no
far off reeling in his saddle as though h
had been wounded. With a quick bount
he reached the spot, pulled the dyint
officer from his seat, and leaped into th'
empty saddle.
Dubois was fully resolved that III
would sell his life on that day-sell i
in behalf of France-and sell it as dearly
as possible. But he was not needed
where he was. He knew that the Prus
slams could not break those hollow
squares so he rode away thinking tx
join the French cavalry, with whom ht
would rush into the deepest danger
Supposing that the heaviest fighting
must be upon the Nehrung. he rode his
horse in that direction, and when he
reached it he found that he had moi
been mistaken. Upon slight eminence
toward Hagelsberg the enemy had
planted a battery of heavy guns, sup
ported by two regiments of infantry
and already with shot and shell immense
damage had been done.
Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortly
after this battery had opened, and quick
ly made up his mind that it must be
taken at all hazards.
"Take that battery" he said to q
colonel of the calvary, "and the battle
ia ours"
Dubois heard the order, and SOW the
necessity. Here was danger enough,
surely; and, determined to be the first
at the fatal battery, he kept as near to
the leader as he dared. Half the dis.
tance he had gained, when from the hill
came storm of iron that plowed into
the ranks of the French. The colonel
fell, his body literally torn in pieces by
shell that exploded against his bosom.
The point upon the peninsula now
reoched by the assaulting column was
not more than one hundred yards wide;
and it was literally a path Of death, as
the fire of twelve heavy guns was turned
upon it.
The colonel had fallen, and very soon
three other officers went down, leaving
the advance without u commissioned
leader. The way was becoming blocked
up with dead men and dead horses, and
the head of the column stopped and
wavered.
Marshal Lefebvre, from his elevated
place, saw this, and his heart throbbed
painfully. If that column were routed,
and the Russian infantry charged over
the peninsula, the result might be ca
lamitous.
But-see A man in the uniform of
a French private, mounted upon pow
erful horse, caparisoned in the trap
pings of Prussian staff officer, with his
head bare, and bright saber swinging
in his hand rushes to the front, and
urges the column forward. His words
are fiery and his look is dauntless.
"For France and Lefebvrel" tho
strange horsenan cries, waving his
sword aloft, and pointing toward the
battery. "The marshal will weep if
we lose this day!'
The brave troopers thus led by one
who feared not to dash forward where
the shot fell thickest, gave an answer
ing shout, and pressed on, caring little
for the rain of death 80 long as they had
living leader to follow. Hoping that
he might take the battery, and yet
courting death, jerome Dubois spurred
on, and finally the troop came upon the
battery with irresistible force.
It was not in the power of the can
noneers to withstand the shock, and the
Russian infantry that came to their sup
port were swept away like chaff. The
battery was quickly captured, and when
the guns had been turned upon those
who had shortly before been their mas
ters, the fortune of the day was decided.
The Russians and the Prussians-
horse, foot and dragoons-such as were
not taken prisoners, made the best
of their way back into Dantzic, having
lost much more than they had gained.
Jerome Dubois returned to the guard
house, and gave himself up to the officer
in charge. First surgeon was called
to dress several slight wounds which be
had received. Next, his colonel was
called to see what should be done with
him. The colonel applied to the gen.
eral of brigade, and the general of bri
gade applied to the general of division.
and the general of division applied to
Marshal Lefebyre.
"What shall We do with Jerome
Dubois ?"
"God bless him |" cried the veteran
general, who had heard the whole story.
"Tll pardon him to-day, and tomorrow
I'll promote him9
And Jerome Dubois, in time, went
himself to see the loved ones in France,
and when he went he wore the uniform
of captain.