The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-02

vigor on his weary columns, leaving q
a bloody pathway behind him, and had
got within a half mile of Etoges. where his
greatest danger would cease, when all at
once. as he assembled slight eminence in
the road. he saw before him Grouchy's
fierce horsemen drawn up in order OF bat
tie. The sun was just sinking behind the
western hills, and his farewell beams fell
full on the glittering helmets of the cuiras-
serS before him, revealing the destruction
that awaited him.
GRoUcHY MEETS BLUCHER.
His fate now seemed sealed for, blocked
in front and rear, while his TANKS were
constantly ravaged by the enemy, he could
see no way of escape. Disdaining, how
ever, to Weld, he stood for awhile III front
of his men waiting for a shot to strike him
down-but aroused at length from his de
srair by the expostulationS of his friends,
he gave orders to march straight on that
mass of cavalry.
Closing up his column, and placing the
cannon at its head, he moved sternly for
ward. Grouchy stood for awhile, and let
the balls NOW down his riders, and then
charged fiercely up to the very muzzles OF
the guns. Had his horse artillery been
with him he would have taken the entire
army prisoners, but, impeded by the mud
through which the drivers were compelled
to drag their pieces, il had not yet arrived
and he had nothing but his naked horse
men with which To resist the onset.
Compelled to fall back, he let the heroic
column march forward: but, enraged to see
his enemy thus escape his grasp, he fell
on their TANKS and rear with such fury
that the last square gave way, and were
cut to pieces. He rode like demon through
their broken ranks, and sabercd down two
battalionS-tOOk 10 entire regiments prlS-
oners, and following up his success, con-
tinued the work ofcarnage till 10 O'Clock at
night, when he drew off his troops.
Through all this melancholy struggle
in this last convulsive thrOe of the Empire,
he exhibited his noblest qualities, and,
finally, at Craon, fell, severely wounded.
On the abdication Of Napoleon, Louis
XVIII. allowed him to retain his titles and
rank. He, however; appointed the Duke OF
Berri to the command OF the chasseurs in
his place, which so eXasperated him that
his after allegiance was but ungraciously
kept. The monarch, however, made him
knight, and afterwards commander OF the
Order OF St. Louis; still, on Napoleon S re-
turn from Elba he FASTENED 10 give in his
adherence, and was Immediately entrusted
with the command Of three military diviS-
ions, and appointed Governor OF Lyons.
MADE A MARSHAL.
On his arrival in the city he ISSUED a
proclamation in favor of Napoleon, calling
on the National Guard to rally around their
old Emperor. For his zeal and energy he
was made Marshal Of the Empire. This
long withheld honor was never deserved,
for Grouchy, with all his bravery, did not
possess the qualities belonging to a great
commander.
In his new capacity, he soon after accom-
panied Napoleon to Belgium. He com
manded the right wing at the battle of
Ligny, in which Butcher was defeated, and
was left with 81 600 men to watch his move
ments, while Napoleon should attack the
English at Waterloo. Stationed at WavreS,
his orders were explicit his duty simple
one viz, to prevent Butcher from succoring
Wellington: but he failed to perform them
and Napoleon lost the battle. There has
been a vast deal written about the man
agement OF Grouchy on this day, and more
uncertainty than really exists thrown over
the whole affair by English writer's, in en-
deavoring to prove that Wellington did not
owe his success to an accident.
The French on the other hand have ac-
cused him OF treachery; but the truth is,
he designed to do his duty-for, fighting as
he did, with rope round his neck, he was
not likely to put it purposely in the hands
OF his enemies. Still, he failed egregIouSly:
he was To keep watch OF Butcher. and yet
Butcher marched on Waterloo without his
knowledge.
The latter was a defeated General, and
yet he carried heavy reinlOrcementS to
Wellington, while Grouchy did not send a
man TO Napoleon. Both heard the tremen-
dous canuonading that told where the