The National tribune., 1898-02-24

he fought alone, slowly retiring throug
the streets with his face to the enemy, an
| crossing the river, was the last OF tn
Grand Army who left the Russian terri
tory"
Gumbinnen was the first place in Ger
many, after passing the river. ut which
rest could be obtained. Gen. Dumas, win
was sick, had Just entered the house of {;
French phySic in this town, when {
man accoSted him whom he took to be
perfect stranger.
His powerful form was wrapped in a
large military cloak-his beard was long
and untrimmed-hiS countenance be
grimed with powder, and his whiskers hal
burned off, while his emaciated face spoke
of tolls and privations of no common magni
tude. But his eye still burned with thai
| luster no one ever forgot who once saw il
| in battle.
What" said the stranger, "Gen. Dumas
| do you not know me?"
NO" replied Dumas; "who are your
"a am the rear guard OF the Grand Army
| Marshal Ney. ] have fired the last mus
ket shot on the bridge OF Kowno; | have
thrown into the Niemen the last of oul
arms; and | have walked hither as you
| see me across the forests.
He had done all that man could do
| fought till his army was annlhilated, then
| formed another-crCated means where
| they did not exiSt-Sustained he sinking
]
him was blank and hopeleSS-Struggled al
last with few hundred, and then so, and
then alone, as rear guard OF the army, and
finally, on foot and unattended, crossed
the forests to join his companions.
After the abdication of Napoleon he lived
in Paris in almost entire SecluSion. Too
rough for the polished society of the French
Capital, and too stern and grave to be dis
sipated, he dwelt by himself. His palace
was elegantly furnished; and his wife,
fond Of gaiety and luxury, entertained her
friends there, while he would be dining by
himself musing over the stormy and ad-
venturous life he had led. Sick OF the in
active, nonotonouS life of the city, he re-
tired to his country seat, where, in the
sports OF the field, he could find some
relief TO his restleSSneSS. II was here the
received his unexpected order TO Join the
Sixth Military Division. On arriving at
Paris he learned to his establishment that
Bonaparte had left Elba and was on his
way to the Capital.
DARK PASSAGE.
Here occurs the only dark passage in
his whole history. BonaparteS star had
apparently set forever at his exile, and
Ney did perfectly right to sustain the
Government of France; but he had no
right to betray the trust his monarch re-
p sed in him, and go over with his army TO
ghe side of the invader. He, by this act,
became a traitor; but his treason had more
excuses than the like crime ever had be-
fCre.
At first he regarded the descent of Ma
p0leon on the shores of France as the
most extravagant rashness, and designed,
as he declared, to bring him a prisoner to
Paris. But he had hardly set out on his
expedition, before BonapaTte began to ply
him with those arts he knew so well how
TO use.
He had made Ney what he was, and he
IoI u, of lln tanl,In-
hearted veteran He had stood by his
side in the smoke and thunder of battle,
and he recalled those scenes TO his inn
agination They had been warriors to-
gether in danger, and Bonaparte excited
him with those recollections so calcu-
lated TO move heart like his.
&c kept his eniSSareS constantly about
him, representing 10 him the utter feeble
ness and imbec:lity OF the Bourbon throne;
he called him again the Bravest OF the
Brave" and entreated him not to fight
against his old companion arms. At
the same time he promised peace to France
and all that Ney could desire.
A plain blunt soldier-with heart full Of
great affections for heroes like himself,
what wonder is it that his constancy
shook? Added to all this, the emissares of
Bonaparte had at length affected the
fidelity of the army, and while Ney was
wavering his soldiers had already de
termined for Napoleon.
He felt that he could not resist the tide If
he would, while he evidently had lost all
desire to do so. His act of treason has
many palliations: still, it was unworthy Of
him. If his old affection and gratitude
were too strong 10 allow him TO fight against
his former monarch, his honor should
have prevented him from fighting against
his new one. He should have returned
and resigned his command, and retired
from the contest. He himself afterwards
felt so.
The excitement and enthusiasm under
which he had acted had passed away, and
he saw the transaction in clear and Just
light 1t weighed on his heart, and he
grew melancholy and spiritless. lie had
lost his self-respect; and his honor, which
he heretofore had kept bright as his sword
was furnished. Kindly feelings had con
quered him whom no enemy could subdue,
and now the eye no danger could daunt or
hardship dim, became dull and lusteriess.
That glorious forehead that had been the
terror of so many hundred battles, had
spot upon it, and Nay felt feehler than in
the hour Of EXTREMIST peril Remorse
gnawed at his heart. and the feeling Of
personal dignity was gone forever.
He became mOTose and restless. and not
until ordered by Bonaparte TO Lille, IF he
would see the first battle" did he evince
any Of his old fire.
This single fact is the best excuse that
could be offered for him. 1t shows that
whatever his act may be, his heart was
right 1t was not deliberate treason, but
the sudden impulse Of a man too frequently
governed by his feelings He afterwards
hoped, in the excitement OF battle, to rid
himself OF this remorse, and perhaps by
his va'or TO wipe out the disgrace he had
brought on his name.
TO b. c0ntifued)