The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-25

racks. and no enthusiasm but their pas
sion for imperial France. They would have
followed no leader unless he were distln-
guished in their system of life According
ly, Ney was selected for that honor, and,
as they came in proud confidence up the
Charleroi road, their emperor passed them
in review. Like every other division, they
had been told that the distant roar was
from Grouchy's guns. When informed
that all was ready for the finishing stroke,
that there was to be a general advance
along the whole line and that no man was
to be denied his share in the general VIC
tory, even the sick, it Is said, rose up and
hurried into the ranks. The air seemed
rent with theiH hoarse cheers as their col
umns swung i'm measured tread diagonally
across the northern spur of the cross-line
elevation which cut the surface of the val
ley.
Wellington, informed of the French
movement as it is thought, by deserter,
issued hurried orders to the center, or
dered Maitland's brigade to where the
charge must be met, and posted himself
with Napier's battery, somewhat to it's
right. While yet his words of warning
We're scarcely uttered, the head of the
French column appeared. The English
batteries belched forth a welcome but,
although Ney's horse, the fifth that day,
was shot, the men he led suffered little,
anu Win MIN on lOOl at tnelr Sl0e, they
came steadily onward. The British
guards were lying behind the hill-crest,
and the French could discern no foe
only few mounted officers, of whom We'll
lington was one. Astonished and incred-
ulous, the assailants pressed steadily on
until within twenty yards of the English
line up, guards! Make ready!' rang
out the dukes well-known call. The Brit
ish jumped and fired; about 300 of Ney's
gallant soldiers fell. But there was no
confusion; on both sides volley succeeded
voley, and this lasted until the French
withdrew. simultaneously Donzelot had
fallen upon Altens division; but he was
leading a forlorn hope, and making no
impression. AS Ney fell back a body Of
French cuirassiers advanced upon the
English batteries. Their success was par
tal, and behind them a second column
of the guard was formed.
Again the assault was renewed; but the
second attempt Jared worse than the first
To the right of Maitland, Adams brigade.
with the Fifty-second regiment, had TAX
en- stand. Wheeling now these poured a
deadly flank fire into the advancing
French, while the others poured in a de-
vastating hail of bullets from the front =
The front ranks of the French replied
with spirit, but when the British had
completed their manoeuvres Colborne
gave the order his men cheered in re-
=
"Nive rEmpereur" came the responsive
cheer from the thinning ranks Of the as
sailants, and stll they came on. But In
the awful crash they reeled. confusion
followed, and in almost the twinkling OF
an eye the rout began. Two battalions
of the old guard. under Cambronne. re-
treated in fair order to the center of the
valley, where they made their last gallant
stand against the overwhelming numbers
OF Hacketts German brigade. They
fought until but $50 survived. From ali
sides the despairing cry of "Sauve qui
peut!" rang on their ears. To the final
summons OF surrender the leader assent
ed, and they filed in detection to the rear.
This occurrence has passed into tradition
as an epic event what Cambronne might
well have said, 1.-THE guard dies, but never
surrenders.' was not uttered, but il
epitomlzes their character, and in the
phrase they and their leaders have found
Immortality