The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-09-09

haNC ito w TCSuult lily dTuiS anu
rank. To so to the emperor, to i'm
plore his pardon, to seek to reinstate
myself in his favor, would be bold and
useless step. The emperor has no time
for audiences and then, ought to de-
NY my sentiment for Poland to retract
the words which spoke so freely? Oh,
no! To-day less than ever. Therefore,
am forced to seek a way of rcsuming
the service without being recognized by
my superiors. have reflected for
some time, and when you rcproachcd
me for my silence l was just making a
definite resolution. | will present my
self to the outposts rs Poland coun-
tryman, desirous of fighting for his
country"
why, general, do you wish to enlist
as a simple soldier? You will have to
obey, instead of command: to march in
the first ranks; to struggle hand to
hand with the enemy! 1t is to certain
death you voluntarily run. Oh! what
have ! done? |, who have rather Ell
couraged you in your resolution! |,
who admire you only to lose you! l
was wrong | was mislcd by blind
patriotism. Rcnounce your projects! 1t
is your duty to execute scrupulously the
orders of the emperor"
No, countess, my duty is to be
where the French are exposing their
lives-to brave the dangers that they
rum
Even breaking your word?"
II do not violate my oath since l en-
list as volunteer"
You are immovable. Do, therefore,
as you wish. My best wishes accom-
pany you and | will pray for you. God
grant that your tcmerity may not be
punished. Think of me sometimes"
She extended her hand, which he
kissed passionately, while she turned
aside her head to conceal the great
tears which glistened like diamonds in
her eyes.
February s, 1907, at daybreal, the
French and Russian armies met. The
troops of Benningsen covered the
mountain tops in front of the little
town of Eylau. The emperor relied
upon this village, the cemetery of
which he occupied with the guard. The
vast plain which separated the two
camps was gloomy and desolate. A
white shroud of snow, recently fallen,
entirely covered the hard ground. The
sky was gray and gloomy. The rays of
the sun could not penetrate the thick,
frosty atmosphere
Upon the left, a little back of Eylau,
was massed the cavalry of Murat. In
the first rank, among the dragoons of
~ law rt, Ia
sword in hand, without distinctive
mark, without a decoration, but superb
in his martial and determined bearing.
1t was Calviniac.
After the scene which we have de-
scribed the general lost no time. Hav-
ing dressed himself in the clothes of "a
and crossed the plains of
Lithuania. he presented himself for en-
listment to the first colonel of dragons
whom he met. Thanks to his disguise.
he was not recognized. and he was
soon able to put on the green tunic
with its yellow cuffs and to take MS
place in the midst of his new compan-
ions, wearing, like them, the white
brceches, the regulation boots, and the
helmet with an ornamental plume of
black
The battle was IN progress all the
morning. About eleven o'clock the snow
fell in large flakes, binding the eyes
of the French, who began to waver.
The emperor believed that his good
luck had forsakeu him. He saw that
effort must be made.
Calling Murat. ne sald
"Wcll! are you going to allow these
men to dcvour us? March forward with
all your cavalry"
At the order Murat started like a
flash, and drew up his eighty squadrons
in battle, placing ahead the dragons
of Grouchy. Calviniac's heart beat fast;
at last he was going to fight as a simple
soldier; to devote himself obscurely,
lost in numbers; to sacrifice his life,
without hope of recompense, for the
love and glory of his country. His
thoughts transported him to the salon
OF the palace at Warsaw where he had
said adieu to Countess Xelinska 1t
seemed to him that he could hear her
voice. could see her smile. Thus en-
couraged, it was with joy that he threw
sacks, who with thor sabers were cut
ting down the army of Augereau.
The snow ceased, and one could con-
template. in all its horror, this immense
plain covered with the dead. the dying
and the wounded. the blood making
horrible spots on the white uniforms of
TIE French soldiers.
The meeting of the two bodies of
cavalry was terrible. Calviniac show
ing an impetuosity and an assurance
v hich astonished his comrades, struck
most formidable blows, overthrowing
all obstacles. The Cossacls were soon
dispersed or rendered unfit for battle.
Then the Russians, in order to delay
the victorious cavaliers, hurled again
their bullets and shot into the melee,
without caring for their own. Grouchy
fell, his horse having been pierced by
ball. Calviniac dashed in, released
his general, who happily was not
wounded, and gave him his own horse,
then. bestriding horse without mas
ter. he rushed again into the fight. At
this moment Murat and his eighty
squadrons, horsemen, dragons, cliras-
siers, charged at. full gallop into the
Russian infantry. After long resist
ancc and several assaults they yielded,
ileeing from all sides terrified, bloody
and seeking refuge in the ncighbor-
ing woods Calviniac, in the midst of
this frightful confusion, fought with an
audacity which nothing could stop.
Each blow struck, overthrow and
killed. His right arm was injured by
ball but he seized his sabcr in his