The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-05-12

acting on the defensive, and extending
themselves, charged bayonet Murat was
| on the banks Of the Jordan and took the
enemy as they rolled towards the bridge
and with his little band performed prodi-
gies of valor and outdid himself. Once he
was nearly alone in tho center of large
body Of Turkish cavalry.
All around, nothing was visible but a
mass OF turbaned heads and flashing sci
metars. except In the center. where was
seen a single white plume tossing like q
rent banner over the throng. For awhile
the battle thickened where 1t stopped and
rose, as Murats strong war-horse reared
and plunged amid the saber strokes that
fell like lightning on every side-and then
the multitude surged back, as single
rider burst through covered with his own
blood and those OF his foes, and his arm
red to the elbow that grasped his dripping
sword. His steed staggered under him and
seemed ready to fall, while the blooc
poured in streams from his sides.
But Murat's eye seemed to burn with
fourfold luster, and with shout those
who surrounded him never forgot to theil
latest day he wheeled Is exhausted
steed on the foe, and at the head of a
body of his own cavalry trampied every
thing down that opposed his progress
Speaking of this terrible fight, Murat SAID
that in the hottest of it he thought Of
Christ, and his TRANSPORTATION on that
| same spot nearly 1000 years before, and /;
gave him tenfo'd courage and strength
| He was promoted in rank on the spot.
| This single fact throws a food OF light on
| Murat's character, and shows what visions
| of glory often rose before him in battle,
| giving to his whole movement and aspect
a greatness and dignity that could not be
| assumed.
VALOR lin THE RUSSIAN WAR.
None could appreciate this chivalrous
bearing of Murat more than the wild Cos
sacks. In the memorable Russian cam
paign, he was called from his throne at
Naples to take command OF the cavalry,
and performed prodgies of valor in that
disastrous war. When the steepleS and
towers of Moscow at length rose on the
sight, Murat, looking at his soiled and
battle worn garments, declared them UNI
becoming so great an occasion as the
triumphal entrance into the Russian Capt.
tai, and retired and dressed himself in his
most magnificent costume. and thus ap-
pareled rode at the head of his squadrons
into the deserted city.
The Cossacks had never seen man
that would compare with Murat in the
splendor of his garb, the beauty OF his
horsemanship, and, more than all, in his
incredible daring in battle. Those wild
children of the desert would often stop,
amazed, and gaze in silent admiration, as
they saw him dash, Sngle-handed, into
the thickest of their ranks, and scatter a
score of their most renowned warriors from
his path as if he were a bolt from heaven.
HIS effect upon these children of nature,
and the prodigieS he wrought among them,
seem to belong TO the ago OF romance
rather than to our practical times. They
never saw him on his magnificent Steed
sweeping to the charge, his tall, white
plume streaming behind him, without send
ing up a shout of admiration before they
closed in conflict.
In approaching Moscow, NIurat, with n
few troops, had left Giatz somewhat in
advance of the grand army, and finding
himself constantly annoyed by the hordes
of Cossacks that havered around him, now
wheeling away in the distance, and now
daShing up to his columns, compelling
them to deploy; lost al!Ipatience, and obey
ing one of those chivalric impulses that so
often hurled him into the most desperate
straits, put spurs to his horse, and gailop-
ing all alone up to the astonished squad
rons, halted right i'll front OF them, and
cried out in tone of command, Clear the
way, reptiles" Awed by his manner and
voice, they Immediately dispersed.
During the armistice, while the Rus
of the wilderness ffoGked by thousands
around him. AS they saw him refining his
high spirited steed towards them, they
sent up a shout Of applause, and rushed
forward to gaze on one they had seen
carrying such terror through their ranks.
One called him his hoffman, the highest
honor that could be conferred on him.
They would now point TO his steed and
now to his costume, while they fairly re-
cCiled before his piercing glance.
Murat was so much pleased by the hom-
age Of these simple hearted warriors that
he distributed among them all the money
he had and all he could borrow from the
officers about him, and finally his watch,
and then the watches of his friends. He
had made many presents to them before;
for often, in battle, he would select out the
most distinguished Cossack warrior. and
piunging directly into the midst OF the
enemy, engage him single-handed, and
take him prisoner, and afterwards dismiss
him with a gold chain about his neck or
some other rich ornament attached to his
person.
MURAT'S GENERALSHIP.
He was also good General, though 1
know this is often disputed Nothing is
more common than the belief that an I'M
pulsive, heddlong man caIRot be clear
headed, while history proves that few |
others ever accomplish anything. From
Alexander down to Bonaparte, your inn |
petuous beings have always had the |
grandest plans, and executed them Yet |
men will retain their preiudices. and you |
cannot convince them that the silent, |
grave owl is not wiser than the talkative |
parrot, though the reverse is indisputably |
true. There could hardly be a more i'm
petuous man than Bonaparte, and he had
a clearer head and sounder judgment |
than all his Generals put together.
Murat's impulses were often stronger |
than his reason, and in that way detracted
from his generalship. Besides, he was too
brave, and never counted his enemy. He |
seemed to think he was not made to be |
killed in battle, or to be defeated. Bona
parte had great confidence in his judgment
when he was cool, and consulted him per-
haps more than any other of his Generals
upon the plan of an anticipated battle. On
these occasions Murat never fiattered, but
expressed his opinions in the plainest,
most direct language, and often differed
from his brotherin- law
Perhaps no one ever had greater skill
Than Napoleon in Judging of the position of
Ihe enemy; and in the midst OF battle, and
IN the confusion of conflicting columns, his
were like lightning. Yet, in
hese great qualities, Murat was nearly his
equal. His plans were never reckless,
out the manner he carried them out was
desperation itself. Said Bonaparte of him,
He was my right arm-he was a paladin
n the field-the best cavalry officer in the
World"
Murat loved Bonaparte with supreme
devotion, and bore with his Impotence