A REVELATION OF THE HORRORS Of THE BATTLEFIELD.

BY BAYLE ST. JOHN.

THE following was the story told me by a veteran when I last visited the Hospital of Invalids at Paris: —

BEFORE I was reduced to my present helpless state I was a common soldier, exercising even then no more influence on the affairs of my country than could be expected from the strength of a single pair of arms, and the courage that burned in the breast of one among a multitude directed towards the same end. I was thirty-five years of age when I shouldered my musket, and left Paris to join the fatal expedition against Russia in 1812. I endured, in common with the rest of the army, the extreme privations of the march; and shared in the sadness and discouragement which prevailed when, after crossing the Niemen, we plunged into the sombre forests beyond, and began to traverse a country where we were without a friend, and, what was equally unfortunate, without an enemy. I shared in the eagerness of the army for a battle ; and its sorrow, when our hopes were day by day disappointed. At length, when the time did arrive (7th September), it had been so long deferred that it was with some difficulty the Emperor's proclamation roused in our breasts the martial ardour which had become necessary to support our jaded bodies during the fatigues of a conflict. The first burst of artillery, however, and the smell of powder, effectually roused me. Austerlitz, Friedland, Jena, with their glorious recollections, burst upon my fancy ; and placing victory before me as the goal, I swept down, with my regiment, the 106th, to the attack of the village of Borodino, against which we were pushed forward from the left of the grande armie, under Prince Eugene. The sun, which had risen behind the Russian lines, and glistened on the hundred thousand bayonets that bristled on the crest of the vast semicircle of heights they occupied, was soon obscured by the sulphureous vapours which, gushing from the mouths of great gun, culverin, and musket, soon dispersed in the air, and hung suspended over our heads. Each soldier's observation was now limited to what occurred within a few yards of him. We fought, bled, died, unmarked amidst the obscurity and uproar. But the object was gained. The enemy was expelled from the village at the point of the bayonet; and, had the orders we received been obeyed, the miseries I afterwards endured might never have befallen me. Instead, however, of breaking down the bridge, as had been commanded, and waiting the result of Poniatowsky's operations on the right, we pushed across the Kalougha, and began driving the enemy along the high-road towards Gorcka. I was advancing with my company obliquely up the steepest portion of the height, a little to the right of the road, under a tremendous fire from a whole series of batteries and fortified redoubts, when I was struck in several places, and fell.

The various fortunes of the army in general, and of the division to which I was attached in particular, from morning until evening, I shall not relate. I know nothing of them from personal experience. All I can remember is, that I did not remain perfectly insensible during the contest. I seemed, indeed, in a kind of horrible slumber, in which, when most unaware of what was passing around me, my diseased imagination supplied the place of sense, and called up before me visions of my past life, recollections of my past sufferings, mingled with vivid pictures of past enjoyments. I was occasionally roused, however, to an imperfect enjoyment of con- sciousness, in which disturbed images of surrounding objects found their way to my brain. A confused and irregular uproar, which seemed to announce the destruction of Nature's fabric, swept through the portals of sense; it was at times a perfect hurricane of sound, which, effacing every other impression on my mind, threw me into a state of bewilderment and semi-insensibility which it is impossible to describe.

Such being my position, it was, of course, impossible for me to have any notion of the flight of time. I can well remember, however, the delicious sensations preceding my restoration to consciousness and misery. They were caused by a shower of rain, which fell towards the evening, and seemed to be a vain effort of Nature to wash away the blood that had been spilt that day. This refreshing boon from the clouds restored me to my senses. A complete silence had succeeded the horrible clamour of the battle. I was lying on my back on a heap of dead bodies, with my face turned from Gorcka, so that without moving I could behold the position which the French army had occupied in the morning; and the village of Borodino at my feet, through which the Kalougha ran in a northerly direction, to join at no great distance the muddy waters of the Moskowa. The irregular ground was strewed with bodies, helmets, swords, muskets, standards stained with blood, drums, broken gun- carriage ; and cut up by the hoofs of innumerable horses. Whether the gathering obscurity deceived me, or that this part of the field was in reality deserted, I could discern no sign of life. All was cold and comfortless. A vast sombre forest seemed to encircle the horizon, and to have swallowed up whatever had been spared during the struggle which had lately taken place. The sky was charged with clouds, evidently attracted by the vapours which had arisen from the battle-field, and now shedding upon it a fine penetrating rain. I scarcely doubted that my friends had gained the victory, and, feeling no pain in any part of my body, flattered myself that if I was not soon able to rise and join them, I should, at least, be dis- covered next morning, and sent back to the vast convent of Kolotskoi, two days' march from thence, where an hospital had been established.

When I look back upon my own conduct at this distance of time, I cannot help being astonished at the sangfroid with which I regarded my position, and the confidence with which I looked forward to the future. Yet this may find credence with many. Few, however, will believe that up to that moment I was totally unaware that I had been rendered a cripple for life, both my legs having been shattered, and almost torn from my body by a cannon-ball. I was also wounded in several places about my breast and my head; a musket-bullet had ploughed a furrow in my forehead, and a bayonet had laid open my side. In this state was I foolish enough to feel certain of life. When, however, by raising myself on my elbow, I discovered, both by examination, and the pain which the exertion caused to shoot through my whole frame, what immense injuries I had received, a sudden revulsion of feeling took place. With the same rashness that had caused me to indulge in unqualified hope, I flew to the other extremity of despair, and felt about for some weapon with which I might terminate my sufferings. But the weakness of my body, caused by loss of blood, baffled me ; and after a short interval I be- gan to consider, with some degree of calmness, my chances of preservation. The result I arrived at was not very encouraging. I saw all the difficulties and dangers which surrounded me; but, guided by the primitive instincts of nature, resolved to do everything in my power to prolong my existence.

Night had now descended upon the earth; and I could see on the heights around me northward along the Moskowa, and far to the south, towards Semenowska, the wood of Ulitza, and the old road to Moscow, the bivouac fires of the French army, as one by one they were lighted. Though many and bright, they had not sufficient strength to dissipate the general darkness, so that they seemed isolated, and at first without order. My eye, however, had begun to trace fanciful resemblances, when, strange to say, I fell into a sleep, from which I did not awake until day dawned.

The cold rain was again falling from a huge irregular mass of clouds which a violent north wind was driving across the country. As far as the eye could reach the broken ground was covered, as I have said, with the debris of the battle — dismounted cannon, burned houses, arms, dead bodies, and wounded men, some endeavouring to rise, others dragging themselves towards the rear of the army, others sitting gazing stupidly around them, others murmuring the names of their country or their mother, others silent and resigned, waiting with frigid indifference the appointed hour. Russians and French were indiscriminately mingled, neither taking no- tice of the other. The former, I observed, bore their sufferings with a kind of dogged, uniform, uncomplaining sullenness, whilst the French exhibited every various shade between absolute despair and a resignation bordering sometimes upon heroism.

As morning advanced, bands of marauders began to scour the field, composed principally of that dangerous rabble which follows generally the skirts of an army. I was too happy to escape the notice of these by feigning to be a corpse; but when, at length, a few parties began to make their appearance, evidently on the search for the wounded of whose recovery hopes might be entertained, I did all in my power to attract their attention. In so slovenly a manner did they perform their duty, however, that they never approached the place where I lay in an agony of suspense, which continued whilst there was yet hope, and was then followed by a long- continued swoon.

When I recovered the evening of the second night was coming on. The only sounds I heard were the faint notes of a distant military band, which seemed to be fast retiring along the road to Moscow. Presently it died away, and I felt that I was left alone on the battlefield, with no companions but the dead. It is impossible to paint my feelings at that moment. With a stern effort of the will overcoming my weakness, I sat up, and tearing off* pieces from the dresses of my companions, bound up my wounds, most of which were already staunched, whilst others bled but feebly.

I now discovered to what a state I was reduced. The immense quantity of blood I had lost, and my long abstinence from food, had nearly deprived me of all strength. Fortunately the rain, which, as I have said, had fallen, had left a pool close at hand. Out of this, with a shako, I was enabled to reach some water, which I drank greedily. The effect was instantaneous. My vigorous constitution required only this stimulant. I next felt hunger, and contrived to search my haversack for food. It contained, however, only two biscuits. Half of one of these was as much as I could eat at that time. The remainder I resolved to preserve most carefully. I now observed at no great distance a horseman's cloak, which I soon appropriated, as the cold began to be extreme. I had scarcely wrapt myself in it, and determined to pass the night with no other protection, when a flash of lightning, and a loud thunder-clap told me a storm was at hand. Unwilling to be again drenched to the skin, I looked about for a place of shelter, and soon discovered a most extraordinary one. This was the stomach of a horse, which had been ploughed open by a cannon-ball. However disgusting such a retreat might have been thought by me on a different occasion, I now felt thankful for having found it. The cold was every moment increasing; and it was evident by the whole aspect of the heavens that a terrific tempest was impending. Supporting myself with one hand, therefore, my lower limbs being utterly deprived of the power of motion, with the other I cleared away as much as I could of the intestines, and regardless of what at a different time would have inspired the most invincible repugnance, contrived at last to get under cover. Before I had done so, the first heavy drops of the shower warned me that my precaution was needed; for presently the sky seemed to open, and let fall an entire flood upon the country, whilst the lightning with incessant flashes seemed to ignite the heavens, and threaten the earth, and the thunder roared like a long-delayed echo of the battle from side to side of the horizon, tearing open the panting flanks of the clouds, and prolonging its angry bellowings until my very heart sank within me for terror, and I wished that the ground would open to swallow and save me from its fury. How it was possible for me to sleep in the midst of this horrible uproar I cannot tell. But when the elements had raged harmlessly over my head for upwards of an hour, I became more tranquil, I imagine, and yielded to fatigue. The dreams that now crowded to my brain were such as I had never experienced before. Sometimes whole showers of flowers seemed pouring down around me; sometimes, transported back in thought to a state of infancy, I fancied myself rocked in a cradle, amidst the most fragrant perfumes ; sometimes I was walking in the greenest fields ; sometimes floating gently through the air, upborne by invisible hands. I was awakened by sounds which might at first have been thought to proceed from a pack of hounds in full cry; but it soon became evident that they rose from a troop of wolves descending, now that the storm was over, from the mountains, to feast upon the dead. Shrinking backward into my loathsome habitation, I endeavoured to close the aperture by which I had entered. In vain, however; and presently more than fifty ferocious wolves, if I might judge by the sounds, swept by me, as if taking a survey of the extent of their acquisition before they enjoyed it. One of them in his bounds alighted for a moment on the carcass which concealed me, and I judged his prodigious strength from the weight- iness of his step. But there was no pause ; and presently their howls died away in the distance. As soon as they were gone, so ex- hausted had I become that I fell asleep, and, being undisturbed during the rest of the night, did not awake until morning was far advanced.

Every day fresh causes of solicitude seemed to start into being around me, and I began to entertain the most discouraging thoughts. The most alarming circumstance, and that, accordingly, which most busily employed my thoughts, was the increasing stench arising from the vast amount of animal matter decomposing and putrifying on every side. The very air, at length, seemed to thicken and grow heavy, and to press, with a smothering weight, upon the lungs. The act of breathing was performed with disgust, as if it assimilated with the system particles in which lay concealed the seeds of corruption and dissolution. A cold blue vapour, ten times more intense and noxious than the foetid exhalations of the church-yard, clung to the earth as far as the eye could reach, thus rendering the dangers that linger over a battle-field palpable to more senses than one. Around me on every side were sights too hideous to describe. Death had at length exerted its entire influence over every corpse. It seemed almost impossible to believe that life had ever inhabited those repulsive forms.

The stupifying effect of the malaria, instead of striking me dead instantly, as might have been the case with a feeble constitution, approached me gradually, inducing a sort of drowsiness in the head, and a general lassitude, with which exertion of any kind was almost incompatible. Finding myself in this state one day, I lacked the energy to go forth in search of provisions, and remained in the foetid carcass, which now seemed to threaten to be my coffin, sinking gradually to so low a pitch of weakness that recovery might have proved hopeless. Fortunately, however, an ungovernable hunger took possession of me. Reduced to live in some respects like wild beasts, I did not now scorn to imitate them in others; but resorting to an expedient at which my very gorge now rises, I tore with my teeth morsels from the side of the dead horse which sheltered me, and ravenously devoured them. A violent fit of sickness was the consequence, which seemed to restore motion to my blood, to relieve my brain from the heaviness which had weighed upon it, and allow me to look the horrors of my position in the face. I now perceived the necessity of immediately abandoning at all hazards my loathsome retreat. Crawling forth, accordingly, I slung a musket on my back, stuck my two pistols in my belt, which supported also a sword, and putting a pound or two of cartouches in my haversack, proceeded to drag myself along, taking the direction of the heights of Oorcka, and endeavouring as much as possible to avoid the dead bodies. The journey was toilsome. Never since I was first wounded had I attempted anything so difficult. What with my general weak- ness, and the want of food, I was obliged to halt more than ten times in traversing two or three hundred yards. I at length reached a place where the heaps of corpses seemed to cease, and was con- gratulating myself, when I beheld several right in front of me. I would have turned aside to avoid them, had not an unusual sight presented itself. This was the body of a woman. All the other victims of war I had shunned as masses of corruption. This kindled in my bosom feelings which had long been extinct. The desire of self- preservation was replaced for a while by the feeling of pity, and I directed my course towards the body which had attracted my atten- tion. She lay with her arms tightly clasped round the neck of a young soldier, and her face buried in the long hair which adorned his head, and mingled with her own. Curious to know whether I could remember her face among the followers of the army, I endeavoured to disengage her hands. For some time I was unable, so firmly were they knit together; but I at length succeeded in turning the face towards me. It was that of a young woman, or rather girl, excessively emaciated, but retaining traces of great beauty. I scarcely know what vague hope it was that induced me to pour a little powder on the ground close by her side, and set fire to it with one of my pistols. A gentle sigh moved her lips ; but it was so gentle, and the motion was so insignificant, that it required the intense gaze which I cast upon her features, and the intense at- tention with which I listened, to detect them. But I was now convinced that life still lingered within those veins; the thought that I might have a companion to share my sufferings took possession of me; my heart fluttered within me; my pulse beat high; my brain whirled; and finally, passing my arm round the neck of the young girl, I swooned away.

I was restored by feeling a gentle throb under my right breast responsive to that which shook my own. But it was not immediately followed by another. However, I could now detect a certain glow in the whole frame of the young girl, which assured me that the principle of life was rapidly recovering within her. 

This roused me to exertion, and I proceeded to ransack the haversacks of the few bodies which lay around. I thus, at length, discovered what I sought with most eagerness — a small flask of brandy. This I applied to the girl's lips; and, though she did not swallow anything, the smell of it, without doubt, assisted in reviving her. Pouring a little into the palm of my hand, I chafed her temples therewith, and, at length, to my inexpressible joy, a long deep sigh escaped her, and she began to breathe with a regular, but a weak and suppressed breath. Her whole frame then shook with a convulsive tremor, and, at length, when by raising her head I had forced her to swallow about a spoonful of the brandy, she opened her eyes, and cast them around with a painful expression of surprise. At first it seemed as though she saw nothing to reconcile her to this return to existence, for she shuddered, closed her eyes, and seemed about to relapse into her former state of inanition. By immense exertions, however, I again re- stored her ; her eyes encountered mine with a long gaze, though not of recognition, and in accents faint and low, she inquired

"Where am I ?"

The joy occasioned at these, the first words uttered by a human voice which had struck upon my ears for so many days, after having almost given up the hope of holding any further communion but with the dead, prevented me for a while from answering. At length the young girl, who still kept her glance firmly fixed uponme, had time to say, with an expression of semi-reproach, — "You will not tell me?"

"We are at Borodino," I replied, willing if possible to keep for a while the more horrible features of the scene from her notice. She seemed satisfied with this, and remained tranquil, her head supported by my arms. At length, however, I perceived that evening was drawing nigh, and that it behoved me to think how we should pass the night.

"Can you walk a little?" I inquired. "

“Are you Charles ?" she said. “ I am afraid you are not Charles."

"Yes, yes; my name is Charles."

"Not my Charles."

"Your Charles."

She shook her head, and remained motionless. I now contrived to steep a morsel of biscuit which I had found in the brandy, and to make her swallow it. This several times repeated gave her strength; and with an effort she rose to her knees. I found it impos- sible to assist her, which she perceived, and casting a glance of excessive commiseration upon me, she said,

“And in that state you have thought of me? Oh, sir, what can I say? How shall I thank you?"

All this time she did not cast her eyes upon the corpse to which I had found her clinging, but kept them as much as possible fixed on me. This I rejoiced at, imagining that if she were to behold him, the affection which had, doubtless led her there would cause a relapse. I therefore hastened to crawl away, begging her to follow me if she was able. As I moved, of course, very slowly, bearing my arms, and a little food, which I had collected, she was enabled to keep pace with me; now rising to her feet, and tottering a step or two; now sinking on her knees, and advancing with the help of her hands. In this manner I led her to the other side of a small thicket, which lay at no great distance. We now found ourselves on the brink of a little glen, turned towards the south, and overlooking the whole field of battle. It was some thirty yards across, and about fifty deep. At the inner extremity I could discern the ruins of a burned hut, but I judged it impossible to reach it that evening, as I myself was near fainting with fatigue. My hands, moreover, were torn and bleeding ; and my elbows covered with wounds. I accordingly resolved to pass the night where I was, and crept under a bush. I ate one of the biscuits I had found, persuaded my companion to eat a piece of one; and we both drank a little brandy. I abstained from asking any questions as to who and what she was, and what brought her there, for fear of fatiguing her: confining the little conversation that passed between us to a question or two about her actual feelings. She was evidently in a very exhausted state ; and when I felt her burning hands, I began to fear that I had only restored her to die a second death. However, I offered up a prayer for her safety and my own — the first time I had really prayed on that field, — and wrapping my cloak about us both, we were soon fast asleep.

The brandy, I suppose, which I had drunk prevented me from awaking until morning was far advanced. Even before I opened my eyes I felt that something extraordinary had happened. My limbs seemed stiffened; an unusual weight impeded my movements, and a sharp, damp, penetrating cold pierced me to the very marrow. I raised my head, and to my horror and astonishment beheld the whole country far and near white with snow. The last flakes of the fall were still floating in the air, driven before the wind; here and there a few inequalities marked the places where lay at no great distance the heaps of slain. The hills were crowned with snow, and the branches of the trees laden. A hurried glance sufficed, and I turned to communicate this new disaster to my companion. She seemed yet asleep. I shook her. Her arms were rigid. With a cry of despair I tore away the cloak from around her. I had been sleeping with a corpse! She was quite dead!

Never shall I forget the hideous torrent of feelings which gushed into my heart when I was at length forced to become convinced of this fact, by observing that mortification had commenced. It seemed as though the heavens had conspired to mock me, and drive me to madness. In a few hours I had conceived for that young girl more than the affection of a father. She was the only link that bound me to the rest of mankind. The solicitude which until then I felt only for myself I had transferred to her; and now she was taken from me. I clasped her to my bosom ; and a torrent of expressions of love and grief, mixed, I am afraid, with incoherent blasphemies, burst from my lips. I kissed her cold lips, murmured in her dull ears, gazed passionately upon her form ; and then, giving myself up to an ungovernable access of fury, rolled upon the snow, cursing the hour I was born, and wishing that a speedy death might overtake me. So strong, however, was the love of life within my breast, that I soon became more calm, or rather more insensible. I looked only to the preservation of my own vile body, though what there was in life that could make me prize it at that moment I cannot see. I covered up the corpse of the unhappy girl with snow, to protect it from the wolves, and then continued my course, crawling like a reptile, towards the ruined hut, which now seemed to afford the only promise of safety. At length I reached it; and creeping into a dark room, threw myself upon the ground in a dull, stupid state of satisfaction, at having overcome all difficulties, which endured the remainder of the day.

Towards evening, when I began to collect my faculties, the idea of the young girl was the first to present itself. In vain I endeavoured to drive it away; it filled the entire extent of my mind. Having no other alternative, I was forced to contemplate it. The whole value of what I had lost as soon as won now presented itself to me. Woe encompassed me on every side. The sole inhabitant of a desert, crippled, emaciated in body, dejected, and sorrowful in mind, without mental energy to plan, or physical energy to execute any means of defending myself from the piercing cold of the night, I lay flickering on the borders of existence hour after hour, expecting and almost wishing that death would overtake me. It was decreed, however, that unless I willfully abandoned the struggle for my life, that I should live. About midnight I began to take more rational views of my position. Hunger had made itself felt. I ate something, drank a little of the brandy that remained in the flask, and went to sleep.

What it was that waked me in the grey light of the morning I do not know. But when I looked forth I beheld a dark form moving upon the snow at no great distance from the mouth of the hollow in which my retreat was situated. At first my heart, elated, pictured the approach of a human being. But I soon discovered that it was a huge black bear ascending from the plain towards the hut. I now supposed that he had selected that ruined place for his den, and became convinced that I should have to dispute possession of it with him. This I resolved to do, and instantly prepared my arms. I had a musket, two pistols, a sword, and abundance of ammunition. Lest the snow should have penetrated into the pans, I re-primed my fire-arms. Meanwhile the animal continued to advance, though not rapidly, and at length reached the spot where I had left the body of the young girl. This he proceeded to uncover with his paws Though I had determined to reserve my fire until he came nearer, I could not now restrain myself, and taking aim as well as I was able in my position, I discharged my principal piece at him. The ball took effect, for the bear uttered a cry of fury, and leaving the half-exposed body, rushed towards the hut. My destruction would have been certain, had it not proved that I had struck him on the knee. After a few steps he stumbled, and rolled upon the snow. I now reloaded my musket ; and again taking aim, was so fortunate this time as to strike him in the head. After a few more struggles, which brought him nearer to me, he fell lifeless on the snow. I now with the pride of a hunter proceeded to crawl towards him, armed with a pistol and sword. The idea had occurred to me that his car- cass might serve for food. In the momentary elation of spirits, my successful shot had occasioned, I even determined to roll him to- wards the hut. This I soon perceived to be impossible. His size was enormous. The blood which gushed from his wounds stained the snow for many feet around. However, I resolved to cut a piece from him, which, in spite of my weakness, I effected. When I had succeeded I felt too much exhausted to proceed, as I had intended, to recover the body of the girl, and returned towards the hut, where I kindled a fire with some pieces of wood, and made a feast worthy of a king, improvidently drinking the last draught of brandy in the flask.

Another fall of snow now came on, which reminded me that I must devise means to protect myself from it. The hut had formerly consisted of two rooms, one behind the other. The roof of the front room had fallen in, and encumbered the floor. The corner also of the roof of the second had shared the same fate. The rest had received no damage. I reflected, however, that if the snow continued to fall, layer upon layer, it would at last be impossible to get out; besides, the heap which already lay in the corner might increase, and the narrow apartment, eight feet square, be choked up. I therefore resolved to spend a part of every day in clearing away the snow from the centre of the front room, so as to form a path by which I could emerge from my retreat when I pleased. I could have wished that with some of the boards which lay about I could have stopped up the hole in the roof of the inner room. But this was impossible. I could do nothing which required me to raise my hands much more than three feet from the ground. It was necessary, therefore, to content myself with clearing away the snow day by day. I was not sorry to have this occupation, as a state of total inactivity might have proved fatal to me. I set accordingly to work, dragging myself self first to the heap in my room, supporting myself with one hand, and shovelling away with a piece of board, which I held in the other. It was several hours before I had cleared out all the snow, at the end of which I was so exhausted that I could not proceed to form the projected path. This I accordingly put off to the morrow. In the same manner I occupied, I believe, nearly a whole week, during which the snow occasionally fell again, and forced me to be- gin my work anew. At length, however, I succeeded in forming a path with an embankment on either side, ascending, with a gentle slope, towards the surrounding level.

By this time I began again to feel the want of provisions. I planned, therefore, an expedition to the carcass of the bear I had killed. Leaving my musket behind me, and fastening a belt round my waist, into which I stuck my pistols and my sword, I set out. I had not had for some time the curiosity to examine the appearance of the country. The snow had changed its whole aspect. It was with the utmost difficulty I could trace the winding course of the frozen Kalougha across the plain; and the old road to Moscow was utterly effaced. All I saw was an endless succession of white forms of every irregular shape, swelling and sinking, as far as the eye could reach, except that here and there a thick grove of pine-trees bore upon its back the snow intended for the ground, and allowed the eye to plunge between its gaunt trunks into perhaps unvisited recesses of gloom.

I soon discovered that it would be no easy matter to find what I sought. But by taking the bearings of certain objects which I at length recognized, I judged that the carcass of the bear was a little to the right of a line drawn southward from the hut. I accordingly crawled in that direction, and in about ten minutes came to an almost imperceptible swelling in the snow. I instantly began to dig with my hands; but what was my horror after a short time at discovering the body of the young girl half devoured by the wolves, doubtless on the night after I had left it uncovered! Her features, however, were untouched, and preserved almost as they had been in life by the snow. They wore an expression of angelic sweetness; but I cannot describe them, nor my feelings at the sight. Suffice it to say, that with my sword I cut off one of her long tresses of auburn hair, and thrust it into my bosom. I still keep it as a memorial. When I had done this, I hastily threw back the snow, which I beat as hard as I could with my hands, and proceeded with the utmost dejection of spirits to return towards my hut, forgetful of what had drawn me forth.

I was moving, I say, towards my hut, when happening by chance to turn my head on one side, and glance over the field, I beheld a strange and delightful sight. Across the very centre of it a long line of men was marching. It was a military detachment, whose whole economy proved it to be French. Tears came into my eyes for joy. I endeavoured to call out, although they were nearly a mile distant. But in vain. Sobs choked my utterance, and I suffered them to descend into a ravine, and disappear, before I remembered the only means in my power of attracting their attention. This was by firing one of my pistols. It was too late to take advantage of it at present . but I now knew what to do should such another opportunity occur. Hope was re-awakened in my breast; redoubled vital warmth gathered around my heart; and I began with some cheerfulness to search for the carcass of the bear, in which I at length succeeded. This time I cut off a much larger piece than before, and returned in high spirits. I found, however, that if I poked the meat every time my wood would soon be exhausted. I therefore resolved to imitate the savage nations of the north, and eat the flesh raw, but frozen. I sometimes, like a true soldier, seasoned it with powder; and should not have disliked this mode of living had the possibility of any other been out of the question. Every now and then, however, I made a fire, and regaled myself on the luxury of grilled bear's meat.

My situation, however, gradually became worse and worse. Days passed by, with no other occurrence than my dragging myself to the carcass of the bear, to cut off a slice with my sword, and devour it. I seldom mustered courage to emerge from the door of the hut; for the cold was so excessive that my hands became covered with sores, and my wounds began to assume a threatening aspect. My weakness increased ; a swimming in my head came on, partly induced by my being compelled to keep it so long in a declined position. How long I passed in this state I cannot tell. I made no reckoning of time. Whether it was that I went less seldom forth, or not, I saw no second detachment.

One morning, however, long before it was light, a terrific explosion shook the air. It waked me. I crawled out, in time to behold a momentary conflagration, lighting up the heavens in the east, like the bursting of a volcano. Was it, then, possible that the war was still carrying on so near me? My hopes rose. Day after day I went forth to examine the plain. But my expectation was frustrated, until at length I beheld an irregular array of scattered horsemen ad- vancing from the direction of Moscow. Presently the whole field was covered by an army in the confusion of a retreat. Horse and foot-soldiers were mingled pell-mell. A wing passed by the spot where I lay. I was observed. My tale was soon told. Some shrugged their shoulders, pointed to the clouds of Cossacks that were hovering on the flanks of the retreating army, and hurried on; others raised me from the ground, carried me a little way, and abandoned me in despair. At length, however, Jaques Dupuis, of the Young Guard, placed me in a cart with other wounded men, exactly fifty days after the day of the great battl ; and under his care I survived all the horrors of that disastrous retreat. He bore me on his shoulders across the bridge of the Beresina, where thousands, ten times more vigorous, perhaps more worthy of life than I was, perished miserably. He prevented my being abandoned at Vilna, at- tended everywhere to my wants; — in fine, under his guidance I at length re-crossed the Rhine; and it was in his arms that I fainted with joy at again finding myself in my native country. If you wish to see a man who has undergone many misfortunes, look on me; but if you would behold a hero, look on him.*

* Count Segur, in his History of the " Grande Armee," states that a soldier, mutilated in the manner described in the text, did actually live fifty days on the field of battle during the march on Moscow, part of the time in the bowels of a horse. He was found by the retreating army, and being put into a cart with many other wounded men, reached France in safety.