The National tribune., 1898-01-06

ing them like pebbles from their feet-and
sweeping in one broad, resistless wave
over the field, bore down with their terrible
front on the French infantry.
NApoLEoN's cUfRAssIErs.
But there was counter blast OF trum-
pets, and before the startling echoes had
died away Napoleon s resistless cuirass:ers
emerged into view. Squirting their steedS
into a trot, and then into >1leadlong
gallop, with their.plumesh and banners float
ing back in the breeze they swept forward to
the shock. The SPECTACLE was sublime, and
each army held its breath in awe as these
warlike hosts went rushing on each other.
Their dark masses looked like two thun-
der clouds riding opposite hurricanes, and
meeting III mid heaven. The clouds OF
dust rolling around their horses feet-the
long lines of flashing helmets above-and
the forest of shaking sabers over all, gave
them a most terrible aspect as they swept
onward.
The shock in the center shook the field;
and the two armies ceased their firing to
witness the issue. The cannOneer leaned
on his gun, and the soldier stopped over
his musket, absorbed in the spectacle;
while in the first rude meeting horses and
riders, by scores and hundreds, rolled on
the plain. Then commenced one of those
fierce hand to hand fights SO seldom wit
messed between cavalry.
In the first heavy shock one body or the
other gives way, and few minutes decide
which is the successful charge. But here
it was like two waves OF equal strength
and volume and velocity meeting in full
career and cresting and foaming over
each other as'they struggle for thc.ma stery.
The sudden silence that fell over the field
as the two armies ceased firing added to
the terror OF the scene.
The sight was new, even to those vet
eran troops. They were accustomed to the
tumult and uprOar OF battle, where the
thunder OF cannon, and rattle OF musketry,
and shock of cavalry, are mingled in wild
confusion. But here there was nothing
heard but the clear ringing Of steel, save
when the trumpets gave their blast.
STRUGGLING IN THE NIGHT.
1t was not the noise of battlefield, but
that of 10000 anvilS ringing under the
fierce strokes of the hammer. The sun
went down on the struggle, and his fare
well rays glanced over sWaying helmets
and countless saberS crossing each other
like lightning in the AIR. Twilight deep
ened over the field, and then il was one
broad gleam OF light above the struggling
hosts, as the fire flew beneath their rapid
strokes.
The stars came out upon the sky, but
their rays were dimmed by the dazzling
sparks as sword crossed sword or glanced
from steel armor-and at length the quiet
moon came sailing in beauty up the heav-
ems and shed her reproving light on the
strife. But nothing could arrest the en-
ragged combatants. Fighting in the light OF
their own flashing steel, they saw neither
moon nor stars.
At length the ringing strokes grew fainter
and fainter, and that dark mass, canOpied
with fire Of its own making, seemed to
waver to and fro in the gloom; and then
Of k,trr CT
heard. The Austrians, after leaving two
thirds of their entire mnber stretched on
the plain, broke and fled, and horses and
riders lay piled together in heaps on the
rent and trodden plain The next day the
victorious army was at the gates of Rats
bon.
The three following years Davoust spent
in Poland, as Commander in Chief of the
forces and Governor of the country His
conduct here, and after the campaign OF
Russia, at Hamburg, has given rise to
severe accusations against him. 1t has
been characterized as ruthless and OPP
pressive" The Able de- Pradt declared
that "he filled all Poland with dread, and
brought much disgrace on the French
name
To acquire such aarkputation from an
ally like Poland goes fs6 to prove that his
character as General was sullied by his
conduct as Governor. But the character
an enemy may give Oh useu sc0nqueI0T,s eS-
pecially if he is forced % levy heavy con
tributions, and create distress among the
inhabitants in order to support his army.
must be taken with many grains Of allow
ance.
CALLED THE HAMsURo RoBEsPrERRE."
Thus the title Of "the Hamburg Robes
pierre" which the citizens Of Hamburg
gave him, while he held the city against
the combined attacks Of the allies, may or
may not be just. Their assertion is OF no
consequence, one way or the other. II
many poor families were turned out to
starve, and the hospitals seized for his
own sick and wounded, and women were