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


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
a ball, but he seized his saber in his
left hand and continued his course until
the sound of the clarion forbade his
further action. The work of this cav
airy, perhaps the most astonishing in
the history of the empire, decided tho
victory. - go -
The next day the emperor, in order
to honor in some special manner the
! heroic .squadrons of Murat, wished to
survey the front of this admirable COM
pany of horsemen. Grave and somber,
after victory so holly disputed, he
passed, at a slow gallop, before the sol
diers, saluting the flag lowered before
him. Arriving opposite the Eighth
regiment of dragons, he slackened his
pace and said to Grouchy, who followed
him:
"Who is that cavalier in the first
rank, who holds his sword in the left
hand? He strangely resembles Cal
vinlac."
..He is Polish volunteer, :" responded
Grouchy. ''He was engaged several
days ago, and has fought like lion. I
saw him at work, and do not know of
one more worthy a eward."
The emperor ap preached the pretend
ed Polander.
swell. my brave, fellow" said he, II
have the pleasure of congratulating
you upon your courage. One Of my
generals, Calviniac, recently took the
liberty of criticising my actions. I
have deposed him. You may replace
him. I shall have then at the head of
my dragons an officer worthy of them,
whom 1 consider a compatriot and
friend"
He resumed his course, followed by
his escort of superbly uniformed gem
erals. W
The days which followed this battle
were employed in removing the dead to
the shore of the Vistula near Warsaw.
They were transported on sledges
across the vast plains, followed by
focks of crows. Some, whom the guard
would not permit to be moved, re-
NAMED in the convent of Eylau, now
transformed into hospital Among
them was Gen. Calviniac, who was very ill
with fever. He had abused his strength.
After having fought all day, his arm in
a sling, he was still at his post of hon.
or; but at night, when the excitement
of the struggle and the emotion of tri.
umph were somewhat Gained, his
wound, which had reopened, caused
him violent pam. Fever set in. The
surgeons thought amputation would
be necessary, but knowing that the
ball had not remained in the flesh and
that the bone was not injured, they de-
cided to wait a few days.
Happily, woman watched near him.
A young and beautiful Polish girl,
wearing the graceful costume of the
peasants CT Ukraine, had presented
herself to the outposts, saying that she
sought her brother, volunteer in the
cavalry of Murat Countess Eel
lnska, for it was she. had presenti-
ment of the result of the battle, and,
following her feminine instincts, she
! sought among the wounded for her
lover. After day of vain search, worn
out and anxious, almost desperate, she
conceived the idea of seeking shelter in
the convent of the Benedictines. See
ing that 1t was occupied by the wound
ed French, she still had strength
enough to search the large halls. Ask
ing explanations, giving details, she
finally discovered the little room where,
upon a campbell, was extended, not
her brother, as she said, but he whom
she loved more dearly than a brother.
since she had witnessed his chivalry
and patriotism.
The countess was not recognized bv
Calviniac. Delirium had robbed him of
his reason. This condition lasted for
several days, during which his devoted
nurse watched over him constantly.
Finally, the fever abated, and the sur
geons declared that, if he avoided all
imprudence, recovery was certain.
One morning Calviniac, while taking
some nourishment, regarded with at
tention the young woman who served
him with so much devotion. He
thought that he recognized her fea-
lures OUT ner dress puzzled him. He
feared that it was a dream or an hallu-
cination. However, hearing her speak,
he trembled, and remembered the sweet
interviews at the Preside in the palace
OF Warsaw. He made an effort to coll
lect his confused ideas. and, raising
himself upon his couch, called feebly:
''Alvis!" s...t. 81
The countess, unable to repress an
instructive movement, turned toward
the sick man. She approached him;
their eyes met. They regarded each
other long time without speaking, but
this mute language told the story and
joy radiated from their faces.
.'How came you here?" asked Calvin
lac. ut is you who have cared for me
like an angel from heaven! 1t is you
who have saved me! Let me repeat to