Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1879-04-12


captains lips when squadron of Prus-
sian cavalry came dashing directly to-
ward them. The division was quickly
formed into four hollow squares, while
the guard that held charge of the prison.
er fouud themselves obliged to fee.
"In Heavens name." cried Jerome,
"cut my bonds, and let me die like q sol4
dier!'
The sergeant quickly cut the cord that
bound his elbows behind him, and then
dashed toward the point where his own
regiment was stationed. The rattle of
musketry had commenced, and the Prus-
slams We're vainly endeavoring to break
the squares of French troops. Jerome
Doubois looked about him for some wea-
pom with which to arm himself, and
presently he saw a Prussian officer not
far off reeling in his saddle as though he
had been wounded. With 4 quick bound
he reached the spot, pulled the dying
officer from his seat, and leaped into the
empty saddle.
Dubois was fully resolved that he
would sell his life on that day-sell it in
behalf of France and sell it as dearly as
possible. But he was not needed where
he was. He knew that the Prussians
could not break these followed squares;
so he rode away, thinking to join the
French cavalry, with whom he could
rush into the deepest danger. Supposiug
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 not been mistakcn-
Upon a slight eninence toward Hagels
berg the enemy had planted battery of
heavy guns, supported by two regiments
of infantry; and already with shot and
shell immense damage had been done.
Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortly after
this battery Lad been opened, and very
quickly made up b is mind that it must be
taken at all hazards.
"Take the battery" he said to colonel
of cavalry "and the battle is ours"
Dubois heard the order and saw the ne
cessity. Here was danger enough. sure
ly! and, determined to be the first at the
fatal battery, he kept as near to the lead
er as he dared. Half the distance had
been gained, when from the hill came a
storm firon that plunged into the rauks
of the French. The colonel fell, his body
literally torn in pieces by shell that ex.
ploded against his bosom.
The point upon tho peninsula now
reached by the head of the assaulting
column was not more than hundred
yards wide, and it was literally plain of
death, as the fire from twelve heavy guns
was turned uponit. The colonel had tall
en-, and very soon three other officers
went down, leaving the advance with
out commissioned leader. The way
was becoming blocked up with dead men
and dead orses, and the head of the
columns stopped and wavered.
Marshal Lafebvre, from his elevated
place, saw this, and his heart throbbed
painfully. If that column were routed
and the Russian infantry charged over
the head of the peninsula, the result
might be calamitous.
But-see! A man in the uniform of d
French private, mounted upon a power
tul horse caparlsoned in the trappings of
a Prussian staff officer, with his head
bare, and a bright sabre swinging in his
hand, rushcs to the front and urges the
column forward. His words are fiery and
his look is dauntless.
"For Franco and for Lefebvre r' the
strange horseman clies, waving his sword
aloft and pointing toward the ttery:
The Marshal will weep if we lose the
day"
The brave troopers, thus led by one
who feared not to dash forward where
the shot fell thickest, gave an answering
shout and pressed ou. caring little for
the rain of death, so long as they had a
living leader to follow. Hoping that he
might take the battery, and yet courting
death, Jerome Dubois spurred OIL and
finally the troop came upon the battery
with irresistible force.
1t was not in the power of the can.
lcneers 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 wher
5he guns had beel turned upon those
who had shortly before been their mas.
ters, the fortune of the day was decided.
The Russians and tho Prussans-horse;
DOT and dragoons--such as were not
aiken prisoners, made the best of their
way back into Dantzic, having lost much
more than they had gained.
Jerome Dubois returned to the guard.
ouse, and gave himself up to the officer in
harge. First a surgeon was called to
ress several slight wounds which ho had
eccived. Next his colonel was called to-
30 what should be done with him. The
olonel applied to the general of brigade,
nd the general of brigade applied to the
eneral of division, and the general of