Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-12-06

| CANNON GALLOPED TO THE FRONT.
ward an immense reserve, with which he
hurled the Austiians back over tile stream,
followed by Davoust and Grouchy, who
drew up under the heights beyond. Tho
French right secure, Napoleon returned
| TO lis left and attempted to recover Inst
ground there In this he failed Massena
WINS wounded and compelled To ride in
carriage His troops recoiled before tho
Austrians, and the latter pressed on to-
ward the river until approaching the old
crossing Of May opposite Napoleon's bat
tteries on Lobau island, the guns there
gave them sudden and disastrous cheek.
At that moment Napoleon 5 generals Mas
sena in particular urged him to thrust
forward the French center and secure the
key point at Wagram. But he was inn
movable, with his eyes fixed upon Davoust's
battlefield, where there stood in plain
view of all the army village crowning q
height, which the Austrians stubborniy
defended Suddenly the smoke Of battle
rolled back beyond the village toward the
Austrian rear. Davoust had won. The
Austrian left had been broken. Turning
to an aid, Napoleon exclaimed; Quick,
captainl Tell Massena TO fall upon what
ever is in front Of him. To general he
cried, Take 100 guns, 60 from my guard,
and crush the enemy column.
Then and there burst forth the most
terrible artillery fire known to history I'M
Ill the hour of Pickett's charge Mt Gettys-
burg. And this at Wagram was the pre-
lude of another grand forlorn charge. The
100 cannon gallopcd to the front and
opened fire. Bcssicres led forward his
cavalry, supported by the guard, but the
Austrian batteries answered the cannon
adc with the fire of more than 200 pieces
The 20 regiments of horse under Bessiercs
succeeded i'm breaking the Austrian squares
and riding among their cannon, which,
however plowed awful gaps in their ranks
The gallant leader was thrown from the
saddle by a cannon bali which struck his
steed and hurled him bodily from under
his rider. But the grand charge moved
on in spite of the cavalry disaster. Mac
Donald formed his storning column OF
l6 900 infantry under cover of the can
nonade and dashed forward close upon the
heels of the cavalry, aiming for the heights
of Wagram The front line in the center
comprised battalions, the TANKS -. On
the right and left of the infantry flanks
rode two mounted divisions, with a divi
sion of mounted grenadiers and one of |
lObA ds a ItSIANOs III MS I
pathway lay scores of French guns dis
mounted 10y the enemys fire. His own /
ranks showed at every step the fresh gaps 1
made by the Austrian shots, but still he /
pressed on until his corps was wiped out, /
and the pitiful handful of but /. 800 men 4
chung TO their eagles. Meanwhile Masse-
ma, on the left, and Davoust. on the right 1
taking advantage of the confusion in the /
Austrian lines caused by MacDonald's /
charge, hurled the enemy's TANKS farther I
and farther from the center Davoust l
finally turned to the left and opened his
guns upon the heights of Wagram in Mac
Donald's front.
That ended the battle. and Napoleon
sounded halt, preferring to let well
enough alone rather than risk his victory |
for the sake of cheap glory in capturing
flags and guns from fleeing enemy. The
Austrians were beaten, and Napoleon won
a long era of peace with the house Of
as well as its fair daughter,
Maria Louisa, FOR a bride TO supplant the
Empress Josephine.
GToiGE I. KILMER.