The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-10-21


the glory of france. and perhaps for
the liberty of Poland!"
The countess remained standing be-
fore the general, listening eagerly to
his words, and expressing by her pas
sionate looks the admiration which this
martial ardor inspired in her.
81 love you thusl' said she. IN
matter how much l may miss you, !
feel, alas! that you ought to go. l
thank you for having given me day.
A day is much in these troubled times.
Yes, general, go-go where duty calls
you; resume the command of your
troops, and return victorious"
Thanks, countess. You understand
me. After leaving you I wish to rem
der myself worthy of your noble friend
ship; but see to what an extreme an
implacable will has reduced me. l
have no right to resume my arms and
rank. To go to the emperor, to inn
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 resuming
the service without being recognized by
my superiors. l have reflected for
some time, and when you reproached
me for my silence / was just making q
definite resolution. 1 will present my
self to the outposts as Poland coun-
tryman, DESTROYS of fighting for his
country" ,lsia s. ara e.ise -
"Why, general, do you wish to enlist
as simple soldier? You win 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 en-
couraged you in your resolution! l.,
who admire you only to lose you! l
was wrong. was misled by blind
patriotism. Renounce your projects! 1t
is your duty to execute scrupulously the
orders of the emperor"
mo. countess, my duty is to be
where the French are exposing their
lives-to brave the dangers that they
runr'
even breaking your word?"
81 do not violate my oath since en-
list as a volunteer"
''You are immovable. Do, therefore.
as you wish. My best wishes accom-.
pany You and I will pray for you. God
grant that your temerity 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 8, 1907, at daybreak, 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. 90
Upon the left, little back of Eylau,
was massed the cavalry Of Murat. In
the first rank, among the dragons of
Gen. Grouchy, was a simple cavalier,
sword in hand, without q distinctive
mark, without a decoration, but superb
in his martial and determined bearing.
1t was Calyiniac.
After the scene which we have de-
scribed the general lost no time. Hav-
ing dressed himself in the clothes of a
countryman 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 his
place in the midst of his new compan-
ions, wearing. like them, the white
breaches, 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 forsaken him. He saw that a
superhuman effort must be made.
Calling Mnrat, he said: = 9as
swell! are you going to allow these
men to devour'us? March forward with
all your cavalry" .rg ~