The National tribune., 1898-04-21
MARSHAL MORTIER.
(Continued.)

THE RETREAT-MORTlER LATER
SERVICES.
IAher creditable military career under
the banners OF Napoleon, Marshal Mortler
went with him ON the expedition TO Russ'a:
They reached Moscow, 10 find 1t silent and
practically abandoned. lie put into MOT
tiers hands the care OF the city, but soon
some oi the buildings were discovered To lie
on fire.
Mortier. as Governor of the city, iurhedI-
ately issued his orders and was putting
forth every exertion, when at daylight Ma
poleon FASTENED to him. Affecting to dis
believe the reports that the inhabitants
were firing their own city, he put more
rigid commands on Mortier, to keep the
soldiers from the work of destruction. The
Marshaf simply pointed to some lron-coV-
cred houses that had not yet been opened,
from every cTevice of which smoke was
issuing like steam from the sides OF pent-
nm volcano Sad and tllouchttui, Napo-
leon turned towards the kremin, the am
cient palace OF the Cars, whose huge
structure rose high above the surrounding
edifices.
In the morning. Mortier by great exer-
fions was enabled to subdue the ire. But
the next night Sept. Is at midnight, the
saw below them the flames bursting
through the houses and palaces, and the
cry OF fire. fire. passed through the CITY.
The dread scene had now fairly opened.
Fiery balloons were seen dropping from the
air and lighting upon the houses-duli
explosions were heard on every SIDE from
the shut-up dwellings, and the next mo-
. ment a bright light burst forth, and the
flames were raging through the apart
menis. -
All was uproar and confusion. Inc
serene air and moonlight of the night be-
fore had given way to driving clouds. ana a
wild tempest that swept with the roar OF
the sea over the city. Flames arose on
every side blazing and cracking IN the
storm. while clouds OF smoke ara sparks
in an inceSSant shower went driving To-
wards the Kremlin. The clouds them
selves seemed turned INTO hre, rolling IN
wrath over devoted Moscow.
Mortier crushed with the responsibility
thus thrown upon his shoulders, moved
with his Young Guard amid this deSola-
ton blowing up the houses and facing the
tempest and the fiames-strugghng monty
to arrest the confagration.
He FASTENED from place to place amid
the blazing ruins his face blackened with
the smoke and his hair and eyebrows
sineed with the fierce heat. At length the
day dawned, a day OF tempest and oil
flame; and Mortier who had strained every
iropped doton from fatigue. The manly
form and stalwart arm that had so often
carried death into the ranks OF the enemy,
at length gave way. and the gloomy Mar
shall Law and painted in utter exhaustion.
But the night OF tempests had been sue
ceeded by day OF tempests; ana "heh
night again enveloped the city, IT was one
broad fame wavering to and fro IN the
blast. The wind had increased TO per-
feet hurricane. and shifted from quarter 10
quarter as If on purpose to swell the sea vi
fire and extinguish the last hope.
The fire was approaching the hremiln,
and already the roar OF the flames and the
crash of falling houses, and the cracking
of burning timbers were borne TO the ears
of the startled Emperor. He arose and
walked TO and fro, stopping conVulsively
and gazing on the terrific scene.
Nurat. Eugene and Berthier rushed into
his presence, and on their knees besoucht
him to fee; but he still chung TO that
naughty palace, as if it were his Empire.
NAPoLEON'S ESCAPE.
But at length the shout, The Kremlin is
on fire." was heard above the roar OF the
confederation, and Napoleon reluctantly
consented TO leave. He descended into
the streets with his staff, and looked about
for a way of egress but the flames blocked
every passage. At length they discovered
a postern gate leading to the Moskwa,
and entered II, Dut tney Hdu only eHteleu
still farther into the danger.
As Napoleon cast his eye around the
open space, girdIed and arched with fire,
smoke and cinders, he saw one single
street yet open, but all on fire. Into this
he rushed, and amid the crash OF falling
houses, and raging Of the hames-over
burning ruins through clouds OF rolling
smoke, and between walls of fire he pressed
on; and at length half suffocated, emerged
in safety from the heated city, and took up
his quarters in the imperial palace of
Petrowsky nearly three miles distant.
Mortier, relieved from his anxiety for the
Emperor redoubled his efforts TO arrest the
confiagration. His men cheerfully rushed
into every danger. Breathing nothing but
smoke and aSheS-canopied by flame, and
sparks and cinders-surrounded by walls
of fire that rocked to and fro and fell with a
crash amid the blazing ruins, carrying
down with them red hot roofs Of iron-he
struggled against an enemy that no bold
ness could awe or courage overcome.
Those brave troops had heard the tramp
OF thousands OF cavalry sweeping " battle
without fear; but now they stood in still
terror before the march Of the confagTation
under whose burning footsteps was heard
the incessant crash OF falling houses, and
palaces, and churches. The continuous
rs0aF of the raging hurricane, mingled with
that 81 the flames, was more terrible than
the thunder Of artillery, and before this
new foe, in the midst OF this battle Of the
elements, the awe-struck army stood
powerless and afIrghted.
When night again descended on the CITY
ii presented a spectacle the like oi which
was never seen before and which battles
all description. The streets were streets Of
fre-the heavens canopy Of fire, and the
entire body Of the city "a mass OF fire. fed
10y 4 hurricane that mad whirled blazing
fragments IN constant stream through
the air.
IncesSant explosions from the blowing
up Of stores OF oil, and tar, and spirits
shook the very foundations Of the city and
sent vast volumes Of smoke rolling furi-
ously towards the sky. Huge sheets Of
canvas on fire came floating Ike nIcSSen-
gers Of death through the flames The
towers and domeS of the churches and
palaces glowed with red heat over the
wild sea below, then lettering "a moment
on their bases were hurled by the tempest
into the common ruin.
Thousands OF wretches, before unseen
were driven by the heat from the cellars
and novels, and streamed ia an ircessant
fhrong through the streets. Children were
seen carrying their parcnts-ihe strong
the weak; while thousands moe were
staggering under the loads OF plumber they
had snatched from the flames. This too
gould frequently take fire i'm the falling
shower. and the miserable creatures would
Toe compelled TO drop it and flee for their
lives.
Oh il was scene Of woe and fear in
conceivable and indescribable a mighty
and close packed city of houses, and
churches and palaces wrapped from Limit
to limit in flames which are fed by ii fierce
hurricane, is sight this world will seldom