The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-11-18
NAPOLEON AND HIS MARSHALS.
Continued from ninth paEe.)

was coast surveyor to Louis XVI. and ac-
dliired great reputation for his skill in this
department Young Berthier naturally be-
Came proficient in mathematical studies
Was capital surveyor and cXcelled IN
drawing.
Though filling the situation i'm his faith
er's office with a faithfulness and ability
that promised complete success IN ms pro
feSsion, he nevertheless preferred the
army. By his fathcrs connection with
Government, he was enabl- q To Obtain
commission at the outset III the dra-
goOns, and as Lieutenant, in Rochambeau
staff came To the United States, ana
served during the war of the American
Revolution.
know of no act of his during this time,
worthy of note. He had none OF the dar-
ing and intrcpidity SO necessary to form
a rood commander. At the time OF the
French Revolution, he was an officer in the
National Guards, and stood firm to the
ROYAL cause till the Guards themselves
went over, when he himself became a
fiery republican. lie was Chief of the S.aff
in the first campaigns of the Republic, on
the Rhine and Northern frontier, and
though faithful and efficient in the dis
charge of bis duties, received no promo
ton.
Not having sufficient energy and force
to distinguish himself by any brilliant eN
plot, he obtained merely the reputation of
being faithful officer. In the first cam
keilerman but when BonaTarte took com
mand of the army, he made him Chief of
his staff, and promoted him to the rank OF
Mao General.
From that time on, for IS years, he
scarce ever left the side of BOnapatte.
We find him With him on the sands of
Egypt, and amid the SHOWS of Russia; 10y
the Pc, the Thine, the Danube, and the
Niemen, and admitted TO an intimacy that
few were allowed To enloy. i seems
II "a
tach itself to q weak one, for is desire -
not 20 much for sympathy and support as
for the privilege If relaxing and unbentlng
Itself without importing lis dignity %; ex-
posing its wca knc@ScS.
Berthier seemed To place 30 restraint on
him. He had such thorough contempt
for his intellect, and knew in what awe
and reverence he held him. that his pres
ence relieved his solitude without destroy
ing it. II is true Bprthier's typographical
knowledge, and his skill i'm drawing mans
and charts. and in explaining them. made
HIM Indispensable to Bcnaparte, who re-
he'd so much on these things in project
ing his campaigns. ESpeC tally as Il e
channel through which all his orders
passed, he became more necessary To him,
than any other single officer in the army.
Yet, BerthieT was admitted into privacieS
to which none of these relations gave him |
a claim. When il was necessary Tor Bona
parte To be in the open air for a long time, !
a huge fire was always built 10y the ChaS- |
seIIrs, To which he allowed no one to APP
preach, unless to feed it with fuel, except |
Berthier.
BacllE ards and forwards, with his hands !
behind his back, he would watkins grave |
and thoughtful face hent on the ground !
until the signals were made OF which he |
was in expectation, when he would throw |
of his reserve, and call ont TO Berthier,
ITO horse,"
NAPoLEoN's METHOD OF WORK.
Bonaparte's travelling carriage, a curl
psity in itself, was arranged as much for
Berthier as for himself. Notwithstanding
the drawers cor his d;Sra tches, and his rOr
table library he had a part of it parti-
toned of for Berthier. True, he did not /
give him half, nor allow him the dor
mouse, on which he himself could reciine |
and refresh himself.
But Berthier was content even with the |
privilege allowed him, though ii furnished |
him anything but repOSe, for Bonaparte !
made use OF the time in which his cortege |
was sweeping like a whirlwind along the !
road, to examine dispatches, and the re-
ports of the positions. etc.
As he read he dictated his directions,
which Berthier lotted down, and, at the |