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The Deemster: Guard--those

Now all that remained for attack was the Old Guard--those wonderful veterans who had fought in Germany, in Egypt, in Spain, and in Russia, of whom the Emperor took special care and who no longer knew parents or relations. They only knew the Emperor who was their god. When it was said in the ranks, "The Guard is going to charge," it was the same as saying, "The battle is won!" And Ney commanded them!

Upon the Guard fell the concentrated hail of bullets. In twenty minutes every officer had been dismounted and the Guard, reduced from three thousand men to twelve hundred, slowly gave way.

Now the entire English army fell upon us. And, as the remnant of the Old Guard fell backward, across the field fled hussars, cuirassiers, artillery, and infantry like an army of savages.

What can I tell you more? It was utter rout. And in the valley old Blucher, with forty thousand Prussians, was looming up.

The end had come--and I wept like a child.

Back we scurried, borne down with fatigue, hunger, and despair. "Keep on," cried Buche, "the Prussians take no prisoners. Look! they are cutting down every one."

So back, back, even to Paris we fled, and there we learned that hostilities were to be suspended, that the Emperor had gone, and that the King was returning to the throne. Desertions began. Fifteen of us from Lorraine left together.

I hurried on from village to village and at last reached Pfalzbourg--and my home.

Up the stairs I sprang; Catherine was in my arms. I fell to sobbing so violently that one would have thought misfortune had come upon me. The first words of Catherine were: "Joseph, I knew that you would come back. I had put my trust in God."

Thus happiness finally reached us.

Now I have lived to see the return of the flag of liberty and to see the nation increase in wealth, in education, and in happiness. People begin to understand their rights. They know that war only brings increase of taxation and suffering; and when the people, as masters, shall say, "Instead of sending our sons to perish by thousands beneath the sword and the cannon, we will have them taught and made men!" who will dare gainsay them? In this hope I bid you farewell, my friends, and I embrace you with all my heart.