the order, the ranks
moved as if on parade.

And now let me mention a circumstance, which, though trivial in
itself, presents a feature of the peculiar character of courage which
distinguished the French officer in battle. As the line advanced, the
fire of the Prussian battery, which by this had found out our range most
accurately, opened severely on us, but more particularly on the left;
and as the men fell fast, and the grapeshot tore through the ranks, a
wavering of the line took place, and in several places a broken front
was presented. Dorsenne saw it at once, and placing himself in front of
the advance, with his back towards the enemy, he called out, as if on
parade, "Close order--close order! Move up there--left, right--left,
right!" And so did he retire step by step, marking the time with
his sword, while the shot flew past and about him, and the earth was
scattered by the torrent of the grapeshot. Courage like this would seem
to give a charmed life, for while death was dealing fast around him, he
never received a wound.

The village was attacked at the bayonet point, and at the charge the
enemy received us. So long as their artillery could continue its fire,
our loss was fearful; but once within shelter of the walls and close in
with the Prussian ranks, the firing ceased, and the struggle was hand to
hand. Twice did we win our way up the ascent; twice were we beaten back.
Strong reinforcements were coming up to the enemy's aid; when a
loud rolling of the drums and a hoarse cheer from behind revived our
spirits,--it was Lannes's division advancing at a run. They opened to
permit our retiring masses to re-form behind them, and then rushed on. A
crash of musketry rang out, and through the smoke the glancing bayonets
flashed and the red flame danced wildly.

"En avant! en avant!" burst from every man, as, maddened with
excitement, we plunged into the fray. Like a vast torrent tumbling
from some mountain gorge, the column poured on, overwhelming all before
it,--now struggling for a moment, as some obstacle delayed, but could
not arrest, its march; now rushing headlong, it swept along. The village
was won; the Prussians fell back. Their guns opened fiercely on us, and
cavalry tore past, sabring all who sought not shelter within the walls:
but the post was ours, the key of their position was in our hands; and
Ney sent three messengers one after the other to the Emperor to let him
know the result, and enable him to