Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-09-15

"OAuo WllCn spoke so Ireelyf Oh
mol Today less than ever. There
fore am forced to seek a way of re
suming the service without being
recognized by my superiors. have
reflected for some time and when
you reproached me for my silence ]
was just making definite resolution.
l will present myself to the outposts
as Poland countryman desirous of
fighting for his country"
why, general, do you wish to
enlist as a simple soldierY You will
have to obey, instead of command,
to march in the first ranks, to strug-
gle hand, to hand with the enemy
1t is to certain death you voluntarily
run. Oh! What have l done-I,
who have rather encouraged you in
your resolutions l, who admire you
only to lose your 1 was wrong.
was misled by blind patriotism. Re-
nounce your projects It is your
duty to execute scrupulously the or
ders of the emperor.
mo, countess, my duty is to be
where the French are exposing their
lives-to brave the dangers that they
run"
Even breaking your word9"
II do not violate my oath since
enlist as a volunteer"
You are immovable. Do there
fore as you wish. My best wishes
accompany you, and l 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.
Feb. 8, 1907, at daybreak, the
French and Russian armies met.
The troops of Bennington covered
the mountain tops in front of the lit
tie town of Eylau. The emperor re-
lied 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 at
mosphere.
Upon the left, a little back of Ey-
lau, was massed the cavalry of Mu-
rat. In the first rank, among the
dragons of General Grouchy, was a
simple cavalier, sword in hand, with
out a distinctive mark, without
decoration, but superb in his martial
and determined bearing. 1t was Cal
viniac.
After the scene which we have de-
scribed the general lost no time.
Having dressed himself in the clothes
of a countryman and crossed the
plains of Lithuania, he presented
himself for enlistment 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 it's yell
low cuffs and to take his place in the
midst of his new companions, wear
ing, like them, the white breeches,
the regulation boots and the helmet
with an ornamental plume of black.
The battle was in progress all the
morning. About IL O'Clock the snow
fell in large flakes, binding the eyes
of the French, who. began to wayer.
The emperor believed that his good
luck had forsaken him. He saw that
a superhuman effort must be made.
Calling Murat, he said:
well, are you gong to allow these
men to devour us1 March forward
with all your cavalry"
At the order Murat started like
fash and drew up his so squadrons
in line of 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 trans
ported him to the salon of the palace
at Warsaw where he had said adieu
to the Countess Zelinsla. 1t seemed
to him that he could still hear her
voice, could see her smile. Thus en-
couraged, it was with joy that he
threw himself against the regiments
of Cossacks who with their sabers
were cutting down the army of
Augereau.
The snow ceased, and one could
contemplate in all its horror this i'm
mense plain covered with the dead.
the dying and the wounded, the
blood making horrible spots on the
white uniforms of the French soldiers.
The meeting of the two bodies OF
cavalry was terrible. Calviniac, show
ing an impetuosity and an assurance
which astonished hiscomrades, struck
most formidable blows, Overthrowing
all obstacles. The Cossacks were soon
dispersed or rendered unfit for battle.
Then the Russians, in order 70 delay