The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-07-28

barefooted and without provisions.
Such was the enthusiasm, or, rather,
the fanaticism, which Napoleon could
inspire among his troops when ne
thought proper to rouse them"
But that was legitimate and COM
monplace in contrast with what fol-
lows
when he reviewed the troops he
asked the officers and often the soldiers
in what battles they had been engaged,
and to those who had received serious
wounds he gave the cross. Here,
think, l may appropriately mention 4
singular piece Of charlatanism to which
the emperor had recourse and which
powerfully contributed to augment the
enthusiasm of his troops. He would
say to one of his aids-de-camp: 'Ascer-
tain from the colonel CT such regi-
ment whether he has in his corps
man who has served in the campaigns
Of Italy or the campaigns Of Egypt
Ascertain his name where he was born,
the particulars of his family and what
he has done. Learn his number in the
ranks and to what company he be-
longs and furnish me the information
ION the day of the review Bonaparte
at a single glance could perceive the
man who had been described to him.
He would go up to him as if he recog-
niZed him, address him by his name
and say: oh, SO you are here! You
are brave fellow. l saw you at Abou-
kir. How is your old father? What!
Have you not got the cross? Stay; l
will give it you Then the delighted
soldiers would say to each other: You
see, the emperor knows us all. He
knows our families. He knows where
we have served What a stimulus
was this to soldiers whom he succeeded
in pefsuading that they would all some
time or other become marshals of the
empire"'
Appeals to baser motives than thirst
for glory We're resorted to, as proved
by Napoleon's own words:
SOLDIERS, you are naked and badly
fed. The government owes you much
and can give you nothing. Your pa
thence and courage amid these trials
are admirable, but they gain for you
no glory, no reputation. I will lead
you to the most fertile plains in the
world. Rich provinces, large towns,
will be in your power. You will there
lind honor, wealth and glory. Soldiers
IF the army of Italy, are you failing in
courage and constancy"
Recalling in after years those days Of
his novitiate, he said
Il set out for Italy with i'll trained
soldiers. who were, however full of
zeal and daring In the midst of the
troops had wagons placed and escort
ed Oh the march as though they were
empty. These | called the treasure
chests of the army. | put it in the Or
der OF the day that shoes should be
distributed to the recruits. No one
would wear them. l promised my SOL
diers that fortune and glory should
await us behind the Alps. l kept my
word. and ever since then the army
would follow me to the end of the
world"
But woe to the individual soldiers
who took their chieftan's promises Of
fortune seriously. Mencval tells how
he had some of his best fighters shot
for their cNceSScS and adds:
II cannot refrain in connection with
this act of severe justice to rebut the
accusation brought against Napoleon of
having tolerated disorder in his armies
by Il kind of tacit understanding be
tween himself and his soldiers. who. re-
selnbling III this the undisciplined hordes
OF the middle ages, We're said 10 serve
their chief only because of his tolerance
of their excuses. His orders of the day
enjOinpd the greatest respect for prop
crty and scathed those who tolerated
disorder"
A paragraph In one of Napoleons
general orders on discipline reads:
Generals of diSision are authorized
TO shoot at once any officers or soldiers
who by their example excite others to
pilla@c and thereby destroy discipline,
spread disorder in the army and COM
promise its safety and its glory
The same order provides summary
punishment for various brea ches of
military discipline, showing that Ma
poleOn's popularity was not due to toll
Grafton. Abnormal in every sense al
most, Napoleon still had that touch OF
human nature which wins the hearts
Of men. An aid-de-camp once lost some
dispatches intended for the emperor
Put him under arrest for a few DAYS"
he wrote to the general in authority.
AN aid-de-camp may lose his breeches
On journey. but not his sword or pa
pers.'
One day on review the emperor lost
control of his horse, and his famous
time worn hat fell at the feet Of
lieutenant of some ordinary command
Picking up the hat. the young subal-
tern stepped from his place and handed
it to Napoleon. Thanks. captain"
said the emperor. "ln what regiment,
Sire" asked the lucky junior. with
alacrity
A second glance convinced Napoleon
that the confusion Of the moment had
led to mistake in the officers rank,
and he met the fellows assumption in
taking the words literally by equal
promptness.
"Ah, that is SO. monsieur. In the
Guard"
A commission in the Guard, the enY
peror's favorite corps was a prize that
men risked death to win
GEORGE L. KILMER.