The National tribune., 1898-04-28

with great slaughter; but was compelled
| finally to retreat before the superior force of
| Wellesley.
To put an end to the rivalry among the
| various Generals in Spain, Napoleon at
length appointed him Major General of the
| French army there, thus showing the high
opinion he had of hos military abilities.
The victory of Ocana soon after justified
| the confidence placed in him.
| For several years he carried on this UNI
| happy war in Spain-now pursuing, and
now retreating-until after the disastrous
| Issue of the Russian campaign, when he
was called by Napoleon, in 1913, to support
| his falling Empire in the north.
| After the battles of LutZen and BautZen
news reached Napoleon of his losses i'm the
| Peninsula, and the defeat of his armies
at the battle of VittOria. He immediately
looked around among his Generals to see
| who could best repair the follies OF his royal
brother; and Soult was again selected.
But the wife of the Obedient Marshal did
not wish to return to country where there
was such obstinate fighting with SO lew
1aurelS and used all her persuasion. not
only with her husband, but with the En-
peror, to have him remain. Napoleon re-
pulsed her rudely; and Soult fastened, as
fast as horses could carry him, to Paris
Stopping there only a few hours, he
pressed on to Spain.
Scarcely had he arrived at Headquarters
before the army was in motion; and though
he did all that human energy could do, ne
was finally beaten at every point. lie,
however, fought the last battle-fired the
last cannon for Napoleon; and at length,
on the news of the abdication, transferred
his command to the Duke oil AnSOuleHe,
and returned to Paris.
Confirmed in his ranks and titles by
Louis XVIII, he was appointed TO the
Thirteenth Military Division He was
soon after named Minister of War; and IN
urging the seQuestratiOn OF the property OF
the Bonaparte family, and in bringing Gen.
Excelmans before a Council OF War, he
showed a great deal OF gratultous zeal 1or
his new master.
TWO FAMOUS ORDERS.
When Napoleon returned from Elba,
Soult published his famous order OF the
day. in which the Emperor was StlgmatiZed
as an adventurer and usurper. LOUIS, |
however suspected him. and took from |
him his appointment as Minister of War.
Soon after Napoleons arrival in Paris,
Soult sought an interview with HIM, ana
though it is not known what passed pc
tween them the latter in few days, was
appointed Major General, and published
another order of the day, which shoWedpa
wonderful change he had undergone re-
speeding the "advcnturer and uSurper.
lie fought at Fleurus and Waterloo, put
not with the energy OF his younger days.
On the second TcSlDtdtloil VI tIC I'oui- |
bons he was put on the prescribed list,
and fearing he should be brought to trlal,
published a justification OF himself, IN
which he referred to Napoleon in disparag-
ing terms-an act that must forever be
stain on his character.
Exiled with other French Generals, he
retired to Dusseldorf, in Russia, where he
remained three years. employed chiefly in
PREPARING his memoirs. In 1919 he was
permitted to return TO Paris, and the next
year received again his Marshal's baton
In 1923 Charles y. made him Peer OF
France and conferred on him the collar OF
Saint Esprit Under Louis Philippe he
became Minister OF War, and finally Presi-
dent of the Council.
He took IN active part in the aCitations
and struggles of April. 1884. His course,
however. not being approved, he retired
into private life till 1880, when he again be-
came President Of the Council.
Representing the Court OF France at the
Coronation OF Queen Victoria, he was every
where received with the greatest enthusi-
asm, and the multitude pressed eagerly
around him TO see one who had been such
prominent actor IN the great Drama Oh tne
French revolution.
Marshal Soult had less genius but more
intellect than most of the distinguished
French Marshals. He had none OF that
high chivalric feeling which SO frequently
pore them triumphantly over the battle
ield, but he had in its place clear, SOUND
Judgment and a fearless heart.
Such men as Murat, and Lannes, and
Augereau, relied very much on the enthu-
,iasm OF their soldiers, and the power
which intense excitement always lmparts.
ooult, on the contrary, on the discipline
If his troops, and the firmness and steadi-
ness it gives, in assault or retreat; and
1ence, when left alone, could be depended
IN as an able and efficient General.
He did not possess that versatility OF
,enius which enabled Bonaparte SO fire.
luently to turn his very defeats into victory
he depended rather on the strength and
error OF the blow he had planned-and II
hat failed, it became him to pause before
he gave another. Like the lion, he meas
ired his leap before he took it, and If he
ell short, measured it over again.
But with all this cooiness and forethought
lis blow was sometimes sudden and
ieadly as a falling thunderbolt. A more
prompt and decisive man in action was