H .1 I I
WHINCJTON
On a hundred inii twenty-eight
jran airo today (Ortfltwr 17. 17M),
Com wall is nt out hi flog- of true,
mod two dio" later bis command
laid down Its arms. How the subject
of this skrtrh figured in that event
is here told.
BT RICHARD FPILJAN"E.
IT WAS a gallant picture Indeed the
French army made that July day In
1TS1 at White Plain". Washington had
come to review the soldiers of Louis XVT,
Snd Rochambeau, proud of his guest and
proud of his King, proud, too. perhaps, of
the brave, brilliant appearance of his
force, compared with the ragged horde of
the Revolutionary Army that lay up at
Tappan Zee, had made sure that every
officer and every private should be at his
best.
In courtly, dignified terms, Washington
complimented Kochambeau after the re
view, and then, with more animation and
plrit than ho had displayed at any time
while the review was on, he asked if the
three young men, the "map makers," as
Lafayette called them, about whom he
had heard so much from the Marquis,
were with Rochambeau. "Indeed, they
are." the Count replied, "and. if you wish,
we shall visit them later on."
In Rocbambeau's tent they drank some
of the wines of France and they drank to
the health of the King and to the success
of the American cause. They drank too,
to the health of each other. Then as the
tun was sinking- over the distant high
lands they strolled over the fields. Off in
the west a regimental band was playing
the song's of France. Groups of soldiers,
men of Picardy, of Normandy and other
provinces of France, scattered about the
plains. Joined in the choruses.
Three Soldiers of France.
Before a tent near the. headquarters of
Ie Bevelle. Count Rochambeau halted.
"Here," he said, "we sliall find my
boy."
He called and out of the tent came three
young . men. When they eaw the Commander-in-Chief
they bowed low.
"His ' Excellency." said Rochambeau,
with a mixture of pride and jocularity,
"has a det re to see your maps. He
wants to know about you. The Marquis
de Lafayette has told him you are won
derful young men. I have told him you
axe light and frivolous and of little ac
count, like most of my aids, and that it
Is a waste of time to bother with you,
but His Excellency would see you, so
here we are."
The young men smiled. They knew the
Count better than he knew himself.
The three were nearly the same age 26
or 27. Two' of them were ardent, keen,
highly emotional. The other was more re
served, more studious In appearance. The
Count introduced them as Matthieu Du
mas, officer of engineers; Charles de La
tneth. captain of Royal Cavalerie, and Al
exandre Berthier. captain of the regi
ment of Soissonais. They were like broth,
ere. Dashing, well bred, well educated
and handsome, they had ample opportu
nity to Indulge themselves freely in friv
olous sports and pastimes, but with a de
votion to duty that was singular at that
time, and particularly in the French army,
they centered their attention upon incir
military affairs. They really loved their
railing. To them the army was every
thing and strict compliance to duty second
nature.
Washington's calm but penetrating eyes
studied the three young officers through
out the interview. With almost a show of
reluctance and certainly with a suggestion
of blushing they spread before the Commander-in-Chief
the drawings they had
made.
There was one of the battle of Trenton,
one of the battle of Brandywlne, one of
Monmouth, and there was a particularly
spirited picture of De Fleury scaling the
ramparts of Stony Point. There also was
a map of New York and its vicinity. In
detail and execution the maps were re
markable. The map of the battle of Trenton Im
pressed Washington particularly. "It Is
amazing to me." said he, "how you did it.
This is accurate in every detail. It Is the
only accurate map of the battle I have
seen within a hundred milee of the field
and you have been in America only a
short time."
"But Trenton was described to us by
some of those who took part In the en
gagement," explained Berthier.
Washington and the Maps.
The map of Brandywlne -was excel
lent, too. but Washington had unpleas-.
ant recollections of Brandywlne and
seemed to find more pleasure in the
Trenton drawing. The Monmouth sketch
was clever If not extraordinary, he de'
dared, but he suggested one or two
changes. The map of New Tork he
glanced at and then pointed out several
Inaccuracies. To find that any of their
work was Incorrect was a grief to those
" young men.
But they forgot their chagrin in the
warmth of Washington's commendation.
Rochambeau. who had known and heard
of Washington only as a cold, formal,
austere man, was surprised when the
Commander-in-Chief a little later asked
the young aids what they thought of
the American forces how the patriot
soldiers stood the Inspection of the
trained soldier?
Dumas promptly replied that only the
Rhode Island regiment looked soldierly.
Of the others discipline -was poor and
efficiency seemed low.
De Lameth was sorry the American
Army did not have a stronger cavalry
arm. He was not competent to judge,
he Insisted, but from his limited obser
vation and experience he could not un
derstand how any force so poorly
equipped, so poorly drilled, and. at
times so loosely handled, could stanu
against the regulars of England. Yet
the Marquis de Lafayette and others
assured him the militiamen of Wayne
not only had withstood a charge but.
marvel of marvels, had literally de-
EXMDRE BEKIHIES.-H1E
mumoN Vffio
stroved England's crack regiment of
Grenadiers. The American must have
merit that shows best under trial.
Berthier said the Americans, in fight
ing in open formation, violated the cus
tom of the armies of Europe, violated
the tactics of the great captains but
as they won against better fed, better
clothed. better armed and better
trained forces he wondered if there was
not virtue In the style the American
employed. For his part what surprised
him most was the fortitude of the
American Army under the wretched
commissary conditions. Nothing but a
patriotism almost beyond understand
ing could explain it.
As to the maps, Dumas was an engi
neer of ability, a man who appreciated
thoroughly the application of hts pro
fession in warfare; De Lameth had a
broad view and a comprehensive
knowledge of ancient and modern mili
tary methods, and Berthier, trained to
topographical and geographical work
by his father and his King, was com
bining the skill of Dumas and the
knowledge of De Lameth to aid him
in drawing maps of the American bat
tlefields that would be of service to
the war students of both FTance and
the United States.
Washington complimented all three.
They had been in America a year, or
less. In the year, despite the fact that
they had been cooped up In Newport
or Providence, they had kept them
selves well employed. He would thank
Lafayette for bringing them to his no
tice. He was happy his friend Count
Rochambeau had such dutiful and able
aids. He was sure that, like all young
men, they were eager for action and
that fame was their guiding star. He
felt sure his young friends would play
well their parts and earn not only
glory but the gratitude of their coun
try, their King and the people in whose
cause they bad crossed the seas.
After the Interview.
Rochambeau wondered that night as
he lay In his tent If It was the wine
that had made Washington talk. Few
men, and especially young ones, got
so much attention from the Commander-in-Chief.
Assuredly the General
showed no sign of the wine in' any
other way. In fact, after leaving the
tent of the mapmakers he was as
calm, silent and dignified as ever. No,
it could not have been the wine, for
Washington had drunk sparingly, and,
besides, wine never was known to af
fect the General But certainly his con
duct was singular. He was almost gar
rulous. What could have been the
cause? The Count studied the problem
as he tossed about In his bed pestered
by mosquitoes and oppressed by the
heat. Then, suddenly, it dawned on
him. He laughed to himself. How stu
pid he had been. Of course it was the
heat.
And having settled the question sat
isfactorily the good Count soon forgot
his troubles and the mosquitoes and
snored peacefully.
While the Count slept the three aides
de camp discussed the impressions they
had received of their distinguished vis
itor. "A marvelously tranquil mind," said
Berthier. "He bears In every way the
stamp of serenity, of rectitude and of
surety. He breathes order, system and
confidence. I feel I know- the secret of
American fortitude better now that I
know His Excellency."
"I cannot Imagine him leading a
charge," said De Lameth, "but I would
accept his judgment quicker than that of
any man I ever met before."
"Lafayette should be proud to have the
General call him 'Son,'" said the fiery
Dumas.
Tricks of Fate.
And while Rochambeau slept and the
three mapmakers discussed their visitor's
character, the Commander-in-Chief sat
late Into the night, studying one of the
maps he had borrowed from Berthier. It
was the map of New York, corrected by
Berthier according to Washington's sug
gestion. The . hour was approaching to
strike. To drive the English from New
York would end the war. Upon this ac
complishment his hopes and his ambi
tions centered. Onoe or twice he had
been ready to move, but Rochambeau,
good, kindly man, had dawdled or the
French fleet bad failed to make ready
or something had gone wrong. Now
everything seemed propitious. The allies
had Joined forces and Clinton had weak
ened his strength by sending Cornwallis
to Virginia. Little part did the map
makers play In the thoughts of Wash
ington that night. He saw and thought
only of what he dreamed would be the
crowning work of his life. The ardent
Dumas, the dashing Lameth. the patient,
tireless Berthier, were forgotten. Little
did Washington imagine that the three
young men of the mapmakers' tent were
to play conspicuous parts In history, or
how antagonistic were the parts they
were to play. Dumas, fiery and loving,
was to be one of the two stanch, true
friends of Louis XVI in the hour of his
greatest trial.
It was Dumas who. with Lafayette,
planned aad aided in the attempt to save
the King"s life by escape from France,
and who protected him while the royal
coach was returning from Varennes,
where it had been stopped, and It was
Dumas who fought with might "and main
against the wild creatures of France,
who were athlrst for the blood of the
foolish King and his more foolish Queen.
De Lameth It was who brought about
the arrest of the King, De Lameth. the
dearest friend of Dumas. On opposite
sides they fought for many days. With
in 10 years almost to a day of his
meeting with Washington De Lameth
was to be President of the French As
sembly, and a little later he was to be
commander of the cavalry of the Revo
lutionary Army. Then In these terrible
days of the guillotine, when the General
who failed to win In battle went to
death on the scaffold, he was to flee
from France. In the days of Napoleon
he was to return, become a Lieutenant
General and live to a ripe age and to
en.ioy many honors.
BerthleV, the studious ' and reserved,
was to rise to be Napoleon's chief of
staff. Marshal of France, Vice-Constable
:F OF BFf iilCI OF ARD PRIKCE OF Ngpqm ; .ST
THE SUNDAY OREGOXTAX, PORTLAND, OCTOBER 17, 1909
: -
usow. fUfL of met mmm
of the Republic, Fringe and Duke of
Neufehatel and Prince of Wagram.
And it was Berthier to whom Rocham
beau, broken in health and fortune, his
family scattered and his hopes dismal,
was to apply for the honor of presenta
tion to the First Consul. Berthier at
that audience stood by Napoleon's right,
and near him stood Dumas and De Lam
eth. "Ah. my dear Marshal," said Napoleon,
"here are your pupils."
"The pupils." answered Rochambeau
sadly, "have surpassed their master."
Skirmishing.
The days after the visit of Washington
were busy ones for Berthier, Dumas and
De Lameth. Dumas was put in charge
of a detachment of lancers of Lauzun's
legion and ordered to reconnoiter the
country in front of the British camp to
ward New York. With Dumas went
Berthier and De Lameth. Nearly every
day they had encounters with De Lan
cey's horsemen or the Hcsslari chas
seurs. They captured various outposts
and advanced to within rifle shot of the
English works. Every sign pointed to
attack upon New York. Early In August
Washington wrote to Lafayette, congrat
ulating him on his .good work in Vir
ginia, and saying he was sorry he could
not have him Join in the attack on New
York. The dispatch bearer who carried
this letter loitered and did not seem dis
pleased when he was captured by the
British. But another dispatch bearer,
who bore another letter to Lafayette,
loitered not a moment. Then the whole
complexion of affairs changed In the
camps of the allies. Rochambeau and
Washington crossed the Hudson with
their armies and hurried south.
Washington with 300 Americans led the
way. Next came the legion of Lauzun
and the brigade of Bourbonnals. Next
the brigade of Solssonnals. A battalion
of grenadiers under the command of
Baron de ViomenlL and to which Dumas,
Berthier and Do Lameth had been as
signed, formed the rear guard. While
General Clinton looked upon the move
ment as one Intended to turn his flank
and attack New York from Staten Island
or Paulusi Hook (Jersey City), the allies,
marching 16 to 20 miles a .day. hurried
on. August 25 the advance guard was at
Euffera. On August 31 It was at Prince?
ton. On September 3 it was in Phila
MR. GNAGG
Takes His Wife Out
Mr. Gnagg. taking- Mrs. G-nagg out to dine,
adds sest and spice to the meal by staking
her to the following running line of com
ment: . Well, here we are. Now you're in the
atmosphere that you love, hey? Lob
ster palace, bookmakers and feather Im
porters and their ladifretis all around;
crazy. - vulgar decorations, smoke, heat.
Idiotic music and all that sort of thing.
It gets me what you can see In this
sort of thing that makes you hanker for
it all the time. How's that? You really
wanted me to take you to one of the
quieter hotel restaurants? Oh, that's
what you said, of course.
Anyhow I knew you were merely talk
ing hotel restaurant for effect. I had
your number all right. This is the sort
of thing you love and gloat over. Can't
I see that In your eyes every time I
fetch you against my will, but merely
to keep peace in the family,' to one of
these lobster Joints? You get the hectic
flush on and your face is all one big
grin and you can't make your feet be
have under the table when the Insane
orchestra plays Its slum music, and you
look generally like somebody in the 14th
Mohammedan heaven.
Makes Waiter Crabby.
Well, are you going to order some
thing? Say,, please don't fiddle and
fumble around with the menu for an
hour or so. It makes the waiter crabby,
and when you get a crabby waiter on
your hands In one of these crustacean
caravansaries you might just as well
be dead, or worse.
You know what you want, anyhow,
without looking at the bill of fare. And
I know what you want, too. I'll bet
you one of those new bearskin shakos
that you're going to sting me for any
how that I can call the turn on what
you want. It's either lobster Newburg
or crab meat the same way.
No? Well, that's queer. ' There's some
thing wrong somewhere. But. of course,
you wouldn't order either one of those
things after I'd called the turn. You
wouldn't give me that much satisfaction.
Well, go ahead then, and run your
gaze up and down that lobster list and
see what you can
How's that? On the level? Well, well!
Are you aware of the fact that you are
making a record? So you really would
like a nice steak, with mushrooms, and
hashed brown potatoes, and some green
peas and asparagus, and then a salad,
and coffee?
Wait a minute. I don't - understand
this. It's too deep for me. It has got
me winging. Do you- know that this
stuff that you want Is really human food?
Food meant and devised for the con
sumption of Intelligent, normal, level
headed, regular people? You are aware
of It? Well, well, well!
Couple of Cocktails.
It's a record, all right. I've got to
celebrate this', I sure have. I'm not
going to let this manifestation of your
gradual approach to reason glide away
without something to mark It. Waiter,
fetch me a couple of cocktails. Yes. Mar
tinis, and have 'em dry. And you can
fetch & quart of Brut with the food.
Have it well iced.
Well, well. If you only knew what a
hit you are' with me when you give evi
dence that you
What are you gazing so fixedly at over
there? Those two women with the
til""'" on iiielr aces and the booby
03MR OF HI fjlBBKM
delphia. Then there was need for con
cealment or pretense no longer. Clinton
had been deceived. The allies were
bound for Virginia to crush Cornwallis
and. complete the work Lafayette and
Wayne had been engaged in. De Graese
had arrived In the Chesapeake with the
French fleet and Cornwallis was doomed.
By the end of September Yorktown was
Invested and then day by day the allies
pounded, on the British fortifications and
day by day the besieged were driven
back. On October 14 work was stopped
on the trenches in order to try to cap
ture two of the redoubts by assault.
Baron de Viomenil directed the attack
on one and Lafayette and Steuben on
tlie other. Charles de Lameth was the
first to reach the parapet attacked by
the French. Berthelr was behind him.
One moment De Lameth paused to cry
"Vive le rot!" then, he fell, desperately
wounded. One Hessian bullet had shat
tered his right knee, another passed
through his left thigh. How Berthier
escaped Is a mystery. He was the only
one of the half dozen officers leading the
assault to come off unscathed. Before
the Hessians could reload the French
were upon them and the redoubt was
captured.
Dumas and O'Hara.
By the 16th the batterie of the allies
were raking the British works and Lord
Cornwallis' position was untenable. The
following day he sent an officer with a
flag of truce. On the 19th he surrendered.
Cornwallis feigned illness that he might
not go through the humiliation of march
ing out at the head of his men, and sent
General O'Hara to command them. Du
mas, acting as Adjutant-General for Ro
chambeau. wan ordered to meet these
troops and guide the column. He placed
himself to the. left of General O'Hara
and when O'Hara asked him where Ro
chambeau was stationed Dumas replied:
"On the left, at the head of the French
line." O'Hara quickened his horse's step
that he might give up his sword to the
French General. Dumas galloped for
ward and placed himself between O'Hara
and Rochambeau.
"You are mistaken," Dumas said to
O'Hara. "The General-in-Chief of our
army Is on the right." Then he led him
to the American lines.
For their gallantry at Yorktown the
GETS OVER HIS GROUCH
to Dine and Thaws Out Under His Own Conversation.
hatch hats and the phony rings? Huh!
Well, you must find little use for your
eyes, to employ 'em that way. They
look like a couple of novelty store girls
dressed up or Imagining that they're
dressed up.
What? Don't I think their dresses are
perfectly scrumptious? Well, there you
go. I thought you were slowly approach
ing the normal view of the world and its
fixtures, and here you are asking me if
the dresses "of a pair of dolls, dresses
that look-as if they might have been de
signed by somebody suffering from per
ennial delirium tremens, aren't the
scrum ptlousest things that -ever were!
Well. I don't think so, since you 1vand
me out the smackdab question. Don't
think anything like it. I s'pose the next
thing'll be that you'll be wanting togs
Just like those, eh? Well, if I ever
caught you wearing a dress like either
one of those dolls has got, I'd arrange
the alimony proposition right on the
spot without the intervention of any
court, and ,
No Critic or Arms. . .
Don't I think that that girl over there
in the low-neck old rose dress has a
beautiful arm? Well, that's a great
question, too. What have I got to do
with the woman's arms? Do you expect
me or would you want me to set up as
a critic of women's arms? Because, say,
if you really would like me to achieve
expertlsm as to a gag of that kind, why
Oh. well, there goes the crazy music,
and .of course it's "My Wife's Gone to
the Country." and of course the. pin-
beads all over the place will be singing
the chorus as soon as they get around
to It. Uh-huh. just as I thought. All
of 'em joining In like a lot of monkeys,
and
Well, here's the cocktails. I s'pose, of
course, they've got 'em too sweet. No,
by Jove, .they haven't. Like yours?
Something pretty nifty about a Martini
when It's well made, as this Is.
Say, these are too good to lose. They've
got a mixologist here who knows how.
Reckon we'd better have another one, eh?
How? You don't think you care for an
other one. Aw, be a sport! Get in tlie
game, little woman! If I thought you
couldn't stand a couple of cocktails,
why Walter, fetch along another pair
of these Martinis.
By the way, young 'un, you're looking
pretty well tonight. Where'd you get
that fichu or whatever that thing is:
you've got around your neck? Huh?
Tou've had It for ages? Well, b'gee, I
never saw it before. Nope. Never cast
an eye on it before In my life.
You've got your hair done up to suit
me tonight, too. How's that? I said
only the other evening that I didn't like
It that way? Well, this Is another even
ing, see, little one? 'Nother evening al
together. "There With the Lamps."
And your eyes are mighty bright, too.
That's one thing about you you cer
tainly are there with the lamps. Ex
pressive, and all that sort of thing. Not
but that you haven't got a hull lot of
other things that suit me a lot. even if
I'm not always telling you so, but
Here's that other cocktail. Ummmm.
Just as good as the other one. Better, if
anything. Yep, it's better. Heap of
nourishment In a good Martini when It's
properly tossed together. Gives a fellow
a different view.
Well, here's, the eats and Tiffany water
trimmings. Good wine, that. D'ye know,
we ought to come out oftener and have
a little whirl around like this. We stick
around the old flat too much.
That's how folks -get into a rut. I know
three map-makers were rewarded hand
somely. De Lameth, so soon as he re
covered from his wounds, was givei
command of the King's cuirassiers, with
the title of Colonel. Dumas was made
Chief of Staff to Viomenil, and Berthier
was made Lieutenant-Colonel.
While the surrender of Cornwallis prac-
tlcally ended the Revolutionary War, it
was not until the following year that the
British evaluated New York and recog
nized the independence of the United
States. In the festivities attending the
closing of the war, Berthier and Dumas
took little part. Most of the time they
spent in Boston. They had one great
friend there, the Rev. Mr. Cooper, one
of the signers of the Declaration of In
dependence. When they were about to
leave Boston Dr. Cooper gave a banquet
in their honor. Ardent champion of lib
erty though he was. Cooper in his speech
that night spoke with the voice of a
prophet. "Take care, young men," said
he, "that the triumph of the causa of
liberty upon this virgin soil does not In
flame you with too much hope. You will
carry away the germ of those generous
feellng9, but If you try to make It bear
fruit upon your native soil, aft-r so many
centuries of corruption, you will have to
overcome many obstacles. . It has cost us
a great deal o blood to conquer, but
you wll1 Tour out torrents before estab
lishing lii. 'ty In your old Europe."
Back In France.
From Boston Berthier went to Porto
Cabello. Venezuela, and In the course
of time was ordered back to France.
For several years his work in the army
was obscure. Most of his duty was In
the commissary department. Then
when the upheaval came and Louis was
guillotined and France became a re
public he was made major-general of
the National Guard of Versailles. When
the outbreak came In La Vendee he
was made quartermaster general of the
Revolutionary armies. In one of the
battles he was wounded. Upon his re
covery he became quartermaster gen
eral of the army of the north, com
manded by Marshal Luckner, and later
by General Kellermann. He went with
Kellermann when the latter took, com
mand of the army of the Alps.
Up to this time no one had seen any-
durned well that I et into a rut try
that wine, baby doll. It's the candy I
know, I say, that I get into an onery sort
of a groove and say a hull lot of measly
things to you that I don't mean- at all.
but you know how it is, don't you?"
"Sure you do. Fellow gets to be a sort
of a crab, and then he thinks he's got
to have somebody to pick on, and what's
more natural than for him to begin to
dish it out to his wife? But, as I say,
you know mighty durned well that all of
the stuff that I say to you of that kind
runs for Hogan, and that I don't mean a
word of it.
Let me fill tip that glass of yours.
Tum-de-tum, tum-do-dum. Nice music
they have here, eh? Fellow gets sick of.
all that classic stuff and wants the popu
lar junk in the music once in a while.
By the way, baby heart. I wish you'd
play oftener for me. What's the use of
having a piano around the flat If you
don't play It once In a while? How's
that? You like to play for me, but I tell
you that it makes me nervous.
"Going to Cut It Out."
Well, say. little girl, I guess I am a
horrible grouch, but I'm going to cut
out that stuff from now on. Watch me.
Going to cut It out. It's a shame that
you don't keep In practice, with the neat
touch you have. I've heard a lot of
amateur piano players, but you've got a
shade on all of 'em, that's what you
sure have.
By the way, you asked me a while ago
if I cared for those dresses those two
queens over there have got on. Well, I'll
tell you, Brighteyes, I don't care so much
for 'em on those women, but I'd like to
see you wearing either one of those
dresses. You'd be a hit in either one of
'em.
Wish you'd get a dress like they're
wearing get it tomorrow. Just remind
me in the morning, will you, that I want
to have you hive a dress- something like
those dresses those two pretty girls have
got on. Oh, yes, they're pretty women,
all right, but they've ot nothing on
you. Nobody's got anything on you when
it comes to that.
Enjoy the mushrooms? Not so bad, eh?
And It's the tasty little steak, what?
That's one thing about these lobster
places they always have the rattling
good things to eat. Fact Is they've got
to because the bunch that comes to places
like these must have the right kind' of
eats or they'll holler their heads off. And
when It comes to that this Is a mighty
attractive place anyhow.
Push your glass over here, monkey
doll, and lemme fill it up. By George,
you sure do look like all the bon bons to
night; Tell you what, if I should hold
my age the way you do.
Nope, don't say that. , I'm not flattering
you at all. Mean every word of it. If
you look within 10 years of your age to
night, then I'll eat my hat. I honest will.
There goes the music again, "My Wife's
Gone to the Country." again. Great little
ditty that. Fine. That "Hooray" part
of It is a scream, isn't it? Tum-te-tum
hooray hooray! Listen to 'em all Join In
the chorus. That's a pleasant little cus
tom there have of Joining in the chorus
of the popular songs at the restaurants.
Yes, waiter, you can fetch another bot
tle of that wine. Oh, shucks, hun, don't
worry. I'm all right. Don't get out often
with you, and when I do.
Well, as I was saying, precious, I'm go
ing to cut out that grouch stuff. I can
see when I look the thing over where I
dish out too much of that crabby conver
sation, and I'm golnr to take a bottle of
that Get Next to Yourself and start a
new deal.
- ? f Jm.
thing remarkable In the abilities of
Berthier. Painstaking, honest, orderly
and systematic, he was a slave to duty,
but that was all. Others had to direct
him. He did little of his own initiative.
But a great change was to come over
the life of Berthier. On August 21,
1795, a man of destiny was assigned
by the Committee of Public Safety of
France to Its geographical bureau, to
work out plans of campaign and direct
the movements of the armies of the
republic One of the first plans he
drew up had to do with work of the
army of the Alps. When Kellermann
got it he wrote back that the originator
belonged In an Insane asylum. General
Scherer scoffingly wrote to the com
mittee that the man who made the
plan for the army of Italy had better
come and carry it out himself.
Meets Kapoleon.
When the committee showed Scher
er's letter to the Man of Destiny he re
plied, "Give one command; the" rest Is
easy." , They gave the command and
when the appointment was announced
Berthier, who had studied the maps
sent to Kellermann, begged for ap
pointment to serve under the general
who was to relieve Scherer. Berthier,
the mapmaker, saw in the plans and
the maps of the man In the geographi
cal bureau the hand of a genius. In
January, 1796. Napoleon Bonaparte was
made general of the army of Italy, and
Berthier went with him as quartermas
ter general. Never had they met be
fore. Never were two men more use
ful to each other. Berthier was 43: Na
poleon 28. Within a week Berthier
knew Bonaparte to be one of the great
est soldiers of the world, and within
less than that time Napoleon knew that
he had In Berthier the man of all men
necessary to his plans.
On May 6, after he had won the bat
tles of Montenotte. Millesimo and Lodi,
he wrote to the Directory: "Berthier
passes the day by my side and the
night at his desk. It Is Impossible to
Join more activity good will, courage
and knowledge."
From the. first Italian campaign un
til Napoleon abdicated and was sent to
Elba. Berthier was the right-hand of
the Little Corporal. As an executive
officer he was a marvel, and as assist
ant In preparing and expediting affairs
he had no equal. He was able to pre
sent the most complicated movements
of an army with .aclearness and sim
plicity that was easily understood. His
memory was extraordinary, and he al
ways had at his command the position
of all the forces and could name every
commander from captain up. Every
order he attended to personally, and his
exactness and regularity were a revela
tion to those who knew the magnitude
of his work. He could receive and
transmit directions of the most com
plicated variety without the slightest
hitch and without hesitation, and no
man living, not even Napoleon, had
such geographical and topographical
knowledge. His activity knew no lim
it. He followed Napoleon In all Bona
parte observations, and this without
in the least neglecting bis official du
ties. Frequently in battle Napoleon
called upon him to report the exact sit
uation of the forces. So fully did Na
poleon rely upon htm that there grew
up a belief that he was the genius.
and not Napoleon, but this belief did
not last long.
Where He Failed.
Strange that a man with such a
mind was Incapable of commanding an
army, or even, a regiment. At the close
of 1797, when Napoleon returned to
Paris, Berthier solicited command of
the army. He got it, and was ordered
to advance to Rome. Within 60 days
everything was In confusion, and Ber
thier wrote to Napoleon begging to be
relieved of the command. "I beg you
to recall me. You can do me no great
er kindness," he wrote.
Napoleon smiled and sent Massena.
Once again he begged Napoleon for a
principal command Napoleon, gave it.
This was In 1S09. But he made such
absurd disposition of the troops that if
the Archduke Charles, against whom he
was operating, had been alert, the French
army would have been ruined. In tlie
hour of peril Davoust sent for Napoleon,
and the Emperor, bringing the disor
ganized and scattered forces together
righted In a few days the errors Berthier
had been making for a month, and then,
by a masterly movement, not only
changed the whole situation, but sent the
Austrlans flying back beaten.
For 18 years, with but few exceptions,
Berthier was by Napoleon's side every
day. In Italy, Egypt, by the Po, on the
Rhine, the Danube and In Russia they
were together. So well did Berthier get
to know him that he seemed to read the
Emperor's thoughts. Although admitted
to an Intimacy such as no other man en
Joyed, Berthier held Napoleon in the
greatest awe and reverence. Bonaparte's
traveling coach was arranged as raurh
for Berthier as for the Emperor. As
they swept along the road Napoleon made
use of the time dictating dispatches,
which (Berthier jotted down and at the
next stopping place filled out with a pre-
o
. N L it
SS-
MATOXON
clslon that satisfied even the most exact
ing master man could have.
A hint from Napoleon was enoush tor
him, for so accustomed had he become
to the action of the Emperor's mind that
he almost anticipated his orders. He
know the meaning of every look and ges
ture of the master soldier. He was of
inestimable assistance as a subordinate,
but there his qualifications ended.
And yet at Lodi, Areola and in other
actions where he was permitted to lead a
charge or defend a posilion, he displayed
the utmost bravery. No one. Indeed,
questioned his courage.
His Love Affair,
Queer man was Berthier. After Na
poleon had conquered Italy, routed the
Austrlans and become the one victorious
General of the republican army, Berthier
fell in love. His passion was for a Mme.
Vlscontl, who was burdened already with,
a husband. Whether Bhe reciprocated his
affection Is not sure, 'but in the Egyptian
campaign Berthier made himself ridicu
lous. He had a tent near his own fitted
up beautifully, and here he had enshrined
the portrait of his lady love. Here Ber
thier would retire alone ..and,., throwing
himself before the portrait, pour out vows
of his devotion. Napoleon. In disgust, told
him to go home. He started, but returned
weeping, saying he could not desert his
beloved General.
When Napoleon returned to France and
became First Consul he made Berthier
Minister of War. In Paris, under the
consulate and under the empire, Berthier
was as Invaluable to Napoleon as In the
field. As a courtier Berthier seemed as
good as a chief of staff. Josephine held
him In the highest esteem and many
times when her extravagances led her to
folly Berthier shielded her from discov
ery. Jewels for which she squandered
fortunes Berthier had charged as war
supplies, but never, so far as known, did
Berthier practice deception on the Emperor-
except in thus shielding Josephine.
When Napoelon set aside the Empress
and married Marie Louise, it was Ber
thier who went to Austria and acted as
Napoleon's proxy at the royal wedding.
And Napoleon was not ungenerous.
Upon Berthier he showered honors and
fortunes. Marshal of France he triads
Mm and Prince of Wagram and Neu-fr.hatf-1.
And he gave to hlin a princess
of Bavaria as a wife. But. alas, soon
after this marriage Monsieur Visconti
difd. and BoitHlcr, bewailing his lot.
went to Napoleon. "What a miserable
man I am." he walled. "Had I been,
constant, Mme. Visconti would have been,
my wife."
Only Berthier and Caulincourt were
with Napoleon that day in when
news reached the Emperor that Paris had
capitulated.
"To surrender the capital to the enemy
what poltroons:" Napoleon exclaimod.
"Miserable wretches! I -asked them to
hold out only twenty-four hours. Mar
mont, too, who had sworn he would be
hewn to pieces rather than surrender
And Joseph ran off, too my brother:''
The Curtain Falls.
While Napoleon hastened to Fontaine
bleau the allies marched through the
streets of Paris. When word came that
nothing would satisfy the allies but the
abdication of Napoleon. Berthier asked
permission to go to Paris. Napoleon gave
It, but as the Marshal left the room the
fallen monarch laughed scornfully. "He
will not return." he declared. "He is
like tlie rest. He will beg appointment
from the Bourbons. It mortifies me that
men I have raised so high should sink:
so low."
He was right. Berthier a few days
later, marching at the head of the Mar
shals before Louis XVII, said: "France,
having groaned for twenty-tive years un
der the weight of misfortunes, has looked
forward to the happy day which now
shines upon her."
Louis XVII made him a peor of France
and commander of the King's bodyguard,
but as he rodo through the streets tho
people cried: "Go to Elba, Berthier; go
to Elba!"
When Napoleon escaped from Elba and
King Louis fled to Ghent, Berthier wished
to accompany him, but the King was
unwilling. Then Berthier decided on
Bomberg, In Bavaria. There on May 1!,
1X15. as he paw the allies fleeing through
the (streets in thrlr rutrrat from France,
ho fell or hurled himself from a balcony.
So ended the life of Berthier, soldier of
the Republic of the United 3tate. soldier
of the Republic of FranceCopyright, .
1309, by Richard Spillane. ;
i