The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-04-07
A FAMOUS REaIMENTAL DOG
Story of Meuton During Napoleon's Re.
Areat from Moscow.

More than one regimental pet has
entered into the history of its coun-
try. In America the list is naturally
headed by Old Abe, the Wisconsin
eagle, which survived the fiercest bat
ties of the Civil War and lived to en-
joy an honored old age in the Capitol
of it's native state. The armies of
Europe have had many pets, among
which should be remembered a poor
dog which followed the eagles of Ma
poleon a thousand leagues and more
to Moscow, but did not survive the
ruin of the Grand Army. A sergeant
of the Imperial Guard tells of the
dogs last battle.
A few days after the awful passage
of the Beresina, l noticed a man
marching in front of me much bent
apparently overwhelmed by the weight
of a burden which he bore on his
shoulders. The burden was a dog,
and the man was an old sergeant
named Daubenton. / asked him II
the dog were to eat.
NO" he answered, 81 would rather
eat Cossack. Don't you recognize
Mouton, the regimental dog? His paws
are frozen, and he can't walk any
longer"
Then he told me how he would have
Joined the vanguard of the army which
had recently been destroyed, If he had
not been saved through his devotion
to the dog.
The evening of the day we had ar
rived at wilma the poor dog had had
his paw frozen, and this very morn
ing the sergeant had decided to leave
him to his fate. But poor Mouton got
an idea that he was being deserted,
and howled so piteously that the SER
geant determined to take him. Hard
ly had he started, however, when the
unfortunate dog fell forward on his
nose, and Daubenton then fastened
him across his shoulders over his
knapsack. 1t was in this fashion that
he rejoined the handful of men who
formed the rear-guard under Marshal
Ney.
Suddenly, rs we walked along, some
one shouted, Beware of the Cos
sacksr' A melee ensued, and some of
the enemy bore directly toward us.
Daubenton was fortunate enough to
see the foremost of them in time to
defend himself, but Mouton, barking
like a good dog, embarrassed his move
ments.
The man wheeled round, but at a
distance seeming to fear a muSket-
shot. AS neither of us attempted to
fire he inferred that we were without
powder, and advancing upon Dauben-
ton, he struck him blow with his
sword. Daubenton parted the blow
with his musket, but the man instant
ly gave him a second one on the left
shoulder. This blow hit poor Mouton
on the head. The dog howled enough
to break ones heart Although wound
ed, with frozen paws, he leaped off his
masters back to run after the man;
but being fastened to the straps of the
knapsack, he pulled Daubenton down
and 1 thought everything was over
with him.
l dragged myself on nay knees about
two steps ahead and took aim, but the
printing of my gun did not burn. Then
the man, shouting savagely, threw
himself upon me, but had time to get
under a wagon and present my bayo.
net at him.
| Meantime the dog, bowling and
barking, was dragging off Daubenton
sideways. Fortunately the sergeant
was able to disentangle himself, and
seizing his gun, he cried to me:
Don't be frightened, don't STRIP
| He fired. The ball struck the Cos
sack under the right arm and he fell
from his horse. A French soldier
seized the animal by the bride.
"Stop, you rascal.' cried Daubenton
That's my horse. killed the fellow
But the other man escaped amid a
rabble. Then Daubenton called out
| to me:
''Look after Mouton! Lam going af.
ter the horse"
| The last words were scarcely out OF
his mouth when more than four thou
sand stragglers of all nations came on
me like torrent, separating me from
him and from Mouton, and l never
saw them again.