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Article A PAGE FROM THE HISTORY OF NAPOLEON.* ← Page 2 of 13 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Page From The History Of Napoleon.*
frosty ground resounded xiith a crisp ancl crashing sound under the xvheels of the chaise . The aide-de-camp Avas shivering . Napoleon cast his wandering eye over the vast plain , dotted here and there AA'ith a feAV cottages , built on the edge of a moat , or lost in a deep and leafless raA'ine . To the right of the route ,
about a mile to the south-xvest , a sombre mass cast its gigantic shadoxvs along the horizon . Out of this mass stood a bellturret , the gable end of a building , ancl a colossal belfry , the ruins of a feudal building of a severe aud ancient style of architecture , dating back to the Crusades , and to the sleepingbarons of by-gone centuries , and situated upon the brink of a moat .
The emperor was struck with the lofty air of the donjon , ancl inquired of his aide-de-camp if he knexv tliis country . " Yes , sire , " Avas the reply . " AVhat is the name of that chateau ?" " Kervegan le Bocage . " " Ah ! " replied the emperor , recalling his Avandering thoughts ,
" I seem to have some recollection of that name . " " It is one that has an heroic and popular character in A endee , " answered the aide-de-camp . " Has it not sustained a siege ?" "Yes , sire , in 1794 , against the republican troops . " " Do you remember any of the details ?"
" All of them , sire ; I formed one of the expedition . " The emperor did not reply ; but he threw himself back in the carriage , and took the position of a man quite ready to listen . " I was , " said the aide-de-camp , " only a lieutenant of infantry in the corps of General Marceau , who commanded in Vendee . The greater part of the country Avas subduedthe
; toAA'ns surrendered at once ; the country became pacified ; some feAV castles alone held out , AA'ith a handful of men . Of this number Kervegan le Bocage was one , AA'here the count of Kervegan and his four sons - were entrenched , Avith a hundred of their ancient A'assals .
" My regiment had received orders , by a forced march , to present itself beneath its Avails , in order to besiege it , ancl to grant no quarter , in case the garrison refused an honourable capitulation . " AVe set out , feeling certain of achieAing a speedy triumph ; but the lofty embattlements and strong Avails of Kerveganadded
, to the haughty and determined appearance of the besieged , compelled us , on our arrival , to moderate our hasty enthusiasm . " The usual demands xvere made ; and xve received as our answer a deadly discharge of musketry , Avhich killed many of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Page From The History Of Napoleon.*
frosty ground resounded xiith a crisp ancl crashing sound under the xvheels of the chaise . The aide-de-camp Avas shivering . Napoleon cast his wandering eye over the vast plain , dotted here and there AA'ith a feAV cottages , built on the edge of a moat , or lost in a deep and leafless raA'ine . To the right of the route ,
about a mile to the south-xvest , a sombre mass cast its gigantic shadoxvs along the horizon . Out of this mass stood a bellturret , the gable end of a building , ancl a colossal belfry , the ruins of a feudal building of a severe aud ancient style of architecture , dating back to the Crusades , and to the sleepingbarons of by-gone centuries , and situated upon the brink of a moat .
The emperor was struck with the lofty air of the donjon , ancl inquired of his aide-de-camp if he knexv tliis country . " Yes , sire , " Avas the reply . " AVhat is the name of that chateau ?" " Kervegan le Bocage . " " Ah ! " replied the emperor , recalling his Avandering thoughts ,
" I seem to have some recollection of that name . " " It is one that has an heroic and popular character in A endee , " answered the aide-de-camp . " Has it not sustained a siege ?" "Yes , sire , in 1794 , against the republican troops . " " Do you remember any of the details ?"
" All of them , sire ; I formed one of the expedition . " The emperor did not reply ; but he threw himself back in the carriage , and took the position of a man quite ready to listen . " I was , " said the aide-de-camp , " only a lieutenant of infantry in the corps of General Marceau , who commanded in Vendee . The greater part of the country Avas subduedthe
; toAA'ns surrendered at once ; the country became pacified ; some feAV castles alone held out , AA'ith a handful of men . Of this number Kervegan le Bocage was one , AA'here the count of Kervegan and his four sons - were entrenched , Avith a hundred of their ancient A'assals .
" My regiment had received orders , by a forced march , to present itself beneath its Avails , in order to besiege it , ancl to grant no quarter , in case the garrison refused an honourable capitulation . " AVe set out , feeling certain of achieAing a speedy triumph ; but the lofty embattlements and strong Avails of Kerveganadded
, to the haughty and determined appearance of the besieged , compelled us , on our arrival , to moderate our hasty enthusiasm . " The usual demands xvere made ; and xve received as our answer a deadly discharge of musketry , Avhich killed many of