New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-17
MARBOT'S MEMOIRS.
LIFE OF A SOLDIER OF THE EMPIRE.


lied by the translator as in some respects the
most interesting book that has appeared in France
for a generation OF their authenticity there is
no question. They relate with frank and sol
diery simplicity the principal events in life
literally crowded with adventure and vlclsstude.
Entering upon a military career at the age OF
seventeen, under the Directory, Marriott was AIDE
de-camp, first to Massena, then to Lannes, then
to other marshals, until after years of fighting
in Italy, in Spain. in Germany he obtained his
colonelcy and the command of a line regiment
the 23d Mounted Chasseurs, which he raised 10
a very high degree of efficiency, and with when
he performed many gallant feats of arms. lie
was present at Austerlitz, at jena at Leipzig. and
finally at Waterloo. lie seems to have been
wounded in nearly every battle and his hairoreadth
escapes were numerous. Promotion was slow
in his case lie labored for several years under
peculiar difficulties. for one of his brothers had
by accident got entangled in Pchegru and
Moreau's conspiracy, and Napoleon took preJl-
dice against the name of Marriott in consequence.
The young soldier did such excellent service
that the First Consul was finally forced TO rec
ognize him. and after that he rose more quickly.
Throughout his memoirs he shows himself de-
voted follower, but not a blind admirer, OF ms
chief, and he docs not hesitate 10 crltlclse the
latter when he thinks himself sure OF his g'ound
AS Napoleon left General Marriott III his VIII a
bequest Of a hundred thousand francs Tor having
defended his combinations at EsslIng against Cen
eral Regniart, it is clear that the exile OF 81
Helena fully appreciated his friends candor and
recognized the accuracy Of his information
Young Marriott entered upon the scene just as the
Revolution was breaking out His father. who
held Radical views, joined the Revolutionary
Army and quickly rose 10 be gneral Inc son
was educated partly at girls school ana parity
at the military academy of Sarezo. He had a
glimpse of the Terror at Bordeaux. when, going
one day with his father he saw a
nrocession of carriages surrounded with troops.
and learned that the sorrowful-looking people in
these vehicles were prisoners-arstocrats who had
inst been arrested and were being conveyed to the
Revolutionary Tribunal, which would no doubt
quickly send them TO the guilotine. The troops
were very brutal to the prisoners, and this reused
young Marbots Indignation, Seeing an old
lady repulsed in an effort TO procure loaf OF
bread, the boy rifed the pockets of his fathers
carriage. which had just been provisioned for
two DAYS journey, and, watching his opportunity,
handed the food TO the prisoners.
General Marriott hated the Terror, and when he
learned what his son had done he praised instead
of scolding him. The lad was originally intended
for the sea, but the French feet was then power
less, for England ruled the sea, and the prospect
of glory or promotion in the navy was very poor
General Marriott finally asked whether the lad
would go with him to Italy. and the proposal
was at once accepted. He was consequently en-
listed as private in a. hussar regiment and
at the very outset of his military career an odd
accident impered his future. His father had
asked the colonel of the regiment for the name
of some good soldier who might be instructed TO
look after the youth and teach him his duties
name had been given, but it happened that
there were two brothers in the same regiment
bearing this name and while of them was
an excellent man the other was scamp and
daredevil, though brave and efficient Now
through a mistake the scamp was put in charge
Of young Marriott, and so instructed the latter
that soon his greatest ambition was TO be adj
mitted to coterie of regimental rascals called
1.-The gang" who were notorious for their pill
laying their reckless and irregular night expe-
ditions, and their ruiiing, staggering ways. A
bold act on his part procured him admission 10
these choice spirits, and next he found himself
about TO fight a duel but was al crested before
lie had crossed swords with his antae Onist, and
was taken, prisoner, before his own father.
Tie intercesson of some general officers pro-
cured bis release alter brief confinement. He
won promotion by his prudence and ea!lantry
taking charge of recommending party and sur
prsing the Austrians, from whom he took several
prisoners When MasScna was shut up i'm
Genoa, the MarbOts father and son, with
him. The siege was a dreadful one The
English feet blockaded the port, and took turns
with the Austrian land force in bonlbarding the
place. The French garrison was reduced to the
greatest straits. A quarter Of pound Of horse
flesh and horrible kind Of bread made from
all manner of refuse became their only susie
nance General Marriott was wounded, and died
after a long struggle. Massena, seeing the grief
of the son. decoyed him from the death-chamber
and hurried Oh the burial as the most humane
course in the circumstances. After the capitu-
lation of Genoa, Marriott went 10 Germany as
aide-de-camp TO General AuGereau. On the field
Of Austerlitz he was attached TO the Emperorb
staff lie gives a clear and vivid account Of the
battle, one terrible incident being related as fol
lows:
The Enperor whom We left on the plateau Of
Pratzen, having freed himself from the enemys riSh
and centre, which were in flight on the Other side Of
Austertz descended from the heights Of PIftzen with
guard, and went with all speed toward Telntz, and
peSou ut was atockins in front At once the heavy
Of Austrians and Russians packed on the mar
finding themselves between two fires. fell into an
indescrbablc confusion. All ranks WERE mixed up
together, and each sought to save himself by flight.
Some hurled themselves headlong into the marshes
which border the pools but our infantry followed
them there JLeTS hopcu to OSo"P' ny INC Todh t1dt
lies between the two pools cavalry charged them
and the butchery was frightfu Lastly, the greater
part OF the enemy. chiefly Russians, sought to pass
over the ice. 1t was very thick, and five or six
thousand men, keeping some kind Of order had reached
the middle OF the satschan Lake. when Napoleon call
ing up the artillery Of his guard. gave the order to
fire on the ice. II broke al countless points, and u
mighty cracking was heard The water, oozlng through
the assures, soon covered the foes, and
thousands Of Russians, with their horses. guns, and
wagons, slowly settle down Into the depths. II
re horribly an m ssS % @h o ake ss for
cred with everything that could swim. Men and
horses struggled In the water amongst the foes.
some-a very small numbcr-succeeded In saving
themselves by the help Of poles and ropes, which
soldiers reached TO them from the shore, but the
greater part were drowned.
On the day after the battle Marriott had an ad-
venture growing out Of the catastrophe described
above, which but for his youth and strength might