The National tribune., 1898-01-13


and vowed that 1.-The sword which he wore
should only be unsheathed to oppose ty-
rants, and defend the rights of the people.
Through the influence Of Barere, how
ever, he was deprived of his command,
but soon after was appointed to the army
OF Mosellc, and ordered up to the Sambre 10
succor the French army there He arrived
Just in time to prevent an utter defeat.
Assuming the command of the combined
forces, he crossed the Sambrc, over which
the republicans, a few days before, had
been driven-advanced on CharlerOi, ana,
investing the place, after Il short but vigOr
GUS siege, compelled the garrison TO capitu
late.
The troops, however had hardly left the
gates, when the thunder of cannon in the
distance announced the approach of the
AuStrianS, Fastening up to their relief
The next day the battle of FleuruS took
place. Jourdan had under him between
eighty and ninety thousand mcn-the
AuStrianS numbered about eighty thou
sand. The Austrians commenced the at
tack at daylight moving forward in live
massive columns, and the battle ragged
with varied success till nightfall, when the
enemy retreated, and the French encamped
on the Gcld of victory.
MIGHTY STRUGGLE.
More than hundred and City thousand
men struggled in mortal combat from day
the field of carnage. This was the second
great victory of Jourdan, and it Immediately
placed him at the head OF the republican
Generals. Under him in this great and de
cisive battle fought many OF the future
Marshals and most distinguished Gen
erals of France Bernadotte, Lcfebvre,'
kleber, Morcau, Soult, Championet, and
others here exhibited those striking quail
ties 10 which they afterwards owed their
elevation.
He continued to follow up his successes
this and the following year, but in 1886
was badly defeated at Wurtsburg and was
forced To make hurried and ruinous re-
treat. The loss of this battle, and the
disasters that followed, wiped out the re-
membrance of his former victories, and he
was recalled.
Returning TO Limoges, he kept aloof from
public affairs till next year, when ne
was chosen member of the Council of Fave
Hundred. The republican party consid-
cred him n great acquisition, and he took
an active part in legislative matters dur
ing the session. He proposed the celebra-
ton of the 10th of AuguSt-gave his IN
flucnce in favor OF the measures that
brought about the revolution of 18th Iruc-
tidor-opposcd with violence the PROPOSE
ton of the Directory to interfere with the
elections; and, finally, submitted law to
change the mode OF recruiting the army
When this law was passed, Jourdan de-
clarc0 tnat the act Qeclucu tidC lic isC-
public was eternal.
In November he was called from polti-
cal strifcs to take command OF the army OF
the Danube. After various manuvers, he
was at length met at Stoekach by the
ArchduIsc Charles, with an army nearly
third larger than his own, and after
stubborn conflict, in which the republican
troops exhibited courage worthy OF their
cause, was severely beaten
ruu pEcytr or nErraT
He strove bravely to arrest the disorder
in his ranks, riding among them, and call
ing the soldiers, by voice and gesture, TO
rally again to the attack. But the defeat
was complete: and after leaving 5000 of
his bravest troops on the field, he was
compelled to retreat prccipitately towards
France.
The Directory Immediately appointed
Massena in his place, and accused him of
in this campaign; and, indeed,
laid at his door the reverSes that also be
fell Moreau, with whom he was to CO
operate.
To defend himself, he published "Precis |
des Operations de l. Armee du Danube, in |
which he showed that the disasters were /
all owing to the ignorance and stupidity of |
the Directory, who did nothing but heap |
bl inder on blunder, and was fast bringing /
Fral G to the verge OF ruin ,a...
Beiiag soon after reelected to the Coiincil /
of Five Hundred, he proposed the folloW-
ing as the form of the civic oath: Il swear
to oppose with all my power the restora-
ton of royalty and every other form of !
despotism in France" He already began /
to see whittier things were tending, and |
threw in this impediment, while thy could,
to check the first attempt that should be
made to overthrow the Republic.
During this Summer all the sessions OF
the legislative bodies were stormy. Di-
vided into two great parties, they were en-
gagged in perpetual wranglings, while de-
feat attended their armies abroad. Every
thing was tending towards an explosion Of
some sort, unless a strong hand should be
found to steady the rocking structure of
the Republic The prospect grew darker
and in the Autumn, France
seemed on the eve Of another revolution.
The moderates and the politicians were
arrayed against the patriots, and fierce
conflict was kept UP.
CRISIS IS REACHED.
.Jourdan belonged to the patriots, who |
were i'm the minority; and, in order to do
to check the disorders and
arouse public spirit, proposed the resolu-
ton declaring the country in danger. This