Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-19

other letters We're written to friends and
old comrades explaining his conduct at
Waterloo. To some he declared that he
acted absolutely in accordance with the
orders he received from the emperor. To
others he set forth the same explanation
he gave at the dinner the night OF his ar
rival In America.
Every vessel that left the United States
for France carried dozens OF letters from
him. Sometimes he would 60 20 New
York or to Baltimore to put the letters
on board i'm person. Sometimes he would
travel from Philadelphia to New York
or Baltimore and wait days and weeks
FOR the arrival Of vessel from France.
Sometimes his hopes OF being allowed
TO return to France would be raised to a
high pitch. Then news would arrive that
would cast him into the depths Of de-
SPAR. He depended great deal upon
was high In favor with King Louis
Strange that Marmont and Grouchy, the
two marshals who were OF noble BIRTH.
should have brought disaster TO Napo-
leon. Marmont surrendered Paris and
Grouchy caused the wreck at Waterloo.
The great emperor had better luck with
his marshals of humble birth.
Whether Msrniont had any sincere de-
sire to help Grouchy IL dificult to learn
There is little evidence Of anything he
did in his behalf. But IL Grouchy had
few friends in France he had one earnest
one in America. and, strange to say. this
one was Napoleon's brother Joseph. for
mer King of Spain. One Of the few places
the marshal went to visit was the home
of Joseph Bonaparte at Bordentown, y.
J.. and there the two men spent many
hours together. Occasionally. too, the for
mer king journeyed to Philadelphia TO
visit the marshal, and in one OF the let
tiers the marshal wrote to his son he tells
of attending Gillie's concert at Washing
ton Hall. Philadelphia. early in May.
1917, in company with Joseph Bonaparte
But Grouchy could spare little time for
social relaxation. He had to explain that
sad day at Waterloo So he wrote more
and more. He was possessed with the
idea that if he could get the world or %
much of the world as was represented by
his beloved France to understand that he
simply obeyed orders as a good soldier
should, an dthat the responsibility for
Waterloo rested on the emperor and not
on him, he would be forgiven But Tie
people Of France were more In the
humor to accept his view then than they
are now. and Louis XVIII unwittingiy
made the task of the marshal more ami
more difficult. The reactionary tendency
of the government had brought the peo-
pie to a state Of sullen anger. The pris-
oner on the Island OF st. Helena was
q pathetic figure. His faults were being
forgotten. and only his glories remem-
bered. The allies. too. had put such
burden on the people that all the old
animosities were kept fresh.
4 X
In 1917 Grouchys son crossed the ocean
to visit the marshal. He did not bring
good news He went back TO renew the
struggle. And when the son departed the
father resumed his writings and renewed
his trips to Baltimore ana New York 10
meet the vessels that crossed the broad
waters. Once he was raised to the hign-
est degree OF hope. IL seemed 40 X .,e
would be permitted TO return home. Anx-
iously he awaited the next advices. When
they came he was plunged into despair
The influence he had depended upon had
failed him. and he decided that he would
have to pass the rest OF his days In the
United States. Then he determined TO be-
come a citizen Of the republic. and he
took the first formal steps in that Oh
rection. He had determined to make his
home In Philadelphia, bring his wife and
family here and begin anew. He had
about resigned himself to this condition
when a letter from his son brought re-
newed hope. and again he turned fever
ishly to writing.
Year after year he kept this up, and
then, one day In 1921. came the glad news
that the prescription had been withdrawn.
Napoleon was dead. There was no longer
a fear Of the return OF the Man OF Des-
tiny.
Grouchy returned to France full OF hope
and enthusiasm, but there was no well
come for him. Everywhere he was re-
ceived coidly; everywhere he was looked
upon as the blunderer who had brought
about the wreck at Waterloo.
Sorrowfully he resumed his task OF
writing, ever explaining and never sat
isfying. When he had been home eleven
years he was permitted to resume his
title Of marshal and was created peer.
but the honors were empty. He lived
until lS47, dying at the age OF eighty
one, and always looked upon with cold
ness by the people he loved and sor
whom lie had fought SO well. Fate
certainly was unlxind to Emmanuel
Grouchy.
Copyright. 1909. by Richard spillsneJ