Rock Island daily Argus., 1893-06-24
NAPOLEON APPROACHING sLBA.
A Pathetic Incident on the Way to the
Church ON the Island.

Church ON the Island.
Having made all sail and shaped our
course for Elba, Napoleon became very i'm
patient to it and asked il we had every
sail set. l told him we had set all that
could be of any use He said, Were you
in chase of an enemy's frigate, should You
make more sail?'' Hooked, and seeing that
the starboard topgallant stunsail was not
set, observed that if l were in chase of an
enemy l should certainly carry it. He re
piled that if it could be of use in that case
1t might be so now. I mention this anec-
dote to show what n close observer he was
In fact, nothing escaped him. When the
man stationed at the masthead hailed the
deck that Elba was right ahead, he become
exceedingly impatient, went forward to
the forecastle, and as soon as the land could
be seen from the deck was very particular
in inquiring what colors were flying on the
batteries.
He seemed to doubt the garrison's having
given in their adhesion to the Bourbons
and it appears not without some reason
as they had in fact done only during the
preceding As hours, that if we had
had a fair wind l should have found
the island in the hands of the enemy, and
consequently must have taken my charge
to the commander in chief, who would no
doubt have ordered us to England On
nearing Elba General Drouot, Comte Clam
(aid-de-camp to Prince Schwarzenberg)
and Lieutenant Hastings, the first leuten-
ant of the Undaunted, were sent ashore
commissioned by Napoleon to take posses
sion of the island. Colonel Campbell ac-
companied them. They were conducted to
the house of General Dalheme, who had
received orders from the provisional gov
ernment only two days before, in conse-
nuence of which he and his troops had
given in their adhesion to Louis XVIII
and had hoisted the white flag.
The general expressed his desire to do
whatever should be agreeable to the en-
peror. He had a book with all the ancient
and modern flags of Tuscany. He asked
my opinion of that which he had chosen.
1t was white flag, with Il red band run
ming diagonally through it, with three bees
on the band-the bees Were in his arms as
emperor of France. He then requested me
TO allow the ships tailor to make two-oI.e
of them to be hoisted on the batteries at
l o'clock. At p. m. the barge WAS manned.
lie begged me to show him the way down
the side of the vessel, which did, and was
soon followed by the emperor, Baron kol-
Ter, Comte Bertrand and Comte Clam.
The yards being manned, we fired "A royal
salute, as did two French corvettes which
were lying in the harbor at that time. The
ship was surrounded by boats with the
principal inhabitants and bands of music
on board. The air resounded with shouts
of ''Nive renpereur! Nive Napolconi' On
landing he was received by the project, the
clergy and all the authorities, and the keys
were presented to him ON "a plate, upon
which he MADE n complimentary speech TO
the project, the people welcoming him with
foud acclamatiOns.
We proceeded to the church through Il
double file of soldiers, and thence to the
Hotel de Vile, where the principal inhab-
itants were assembled, with several of
whom he conversed. Remarking an old
soldier in the crowd Che was sergeant,
believe, and wore the order of the Legion
of Honor, he called him to him and recol-
lected having given him that decoration on
the field of battle at Eilau. The old sol
dier shed tears; the idea of being remem-
bered by his emperor fairly overcame him.
He felt, doubt not, that it was the proud
est day of his life. Napoleon afterward
mounted horse, and attended by dozen
persons visited some of the outworks hav-
ing, before leaving the ship, invited me to
dine with him at O'Clock. l ordered all
my wine and stock to be handed to him for
his use, the island being destitute of pro-
visions of that sort.-Thomas Usher, r.
N, in Century.