HE DID NOT KNOW HOW

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 8, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 36.

HE DID NOT KNOW HOW.

The following old story, in which there is a lesson for the Christian, is thus revived by Success:—

“Tout est perdu, sauve qui peut!” (“All is lost; save himself who can!”) shouted the soldiers of Marshal Victor at Merengo when, after sustaining with Lannes for four hours the fierce onslaught of superior Austrian numbers under General Melas, his men gave way and fled.

But Lannes formed his men into hollow squares, and with the Consular Guard, also in squares, they slowly fell back, moving like “living citadels” over the field of battle, sinking by hundreds under the destructive fire of the enemy, but still shielding Victor’s disorganized troops.

At this juncture was seen advancing over the plain, with banners waving and trumpets sounding, the head of the columns of Desaix, who had heard the cannonading a score of miles away, and in advance of orders had hastened to the relief of Napoleon.

“Beat a retreat!” said an officer to one of the drummers of Desaix, who had just reported to his chief.

“Beat a retreat!” repeated the drummer, as he looked upon the French army rolling back in a broken mass, and noted the impatience of some of the soldiers at the silence of his drum; “I do not know how to beat a retreat; Desaix never taught me that; but I can beat a charge—O! I can beat a charge that will make the dead fall into line. I beat that charge at the Pyramids. I beat it at Mount Tabor. I beat it at the bridge of Lodi. May I not beat it here?”

“What think you of it?” asked Napoleon of Desaix, whose 6,000 men were halted not far away.

“The battle is lost,” replied the hero of Egypt; “but it is only 3 o’clock; there is time to gain another.”

“Forward, then,” commanded Napoleon. “Hold the enemy in check while I rally and reform the army behind you.” Riding among the demoralized infantry of Victor, he shouted: “Soldiers, you have retreated far enough; you know it is always my custom to sleep on the field of battle.”

Meanwhile the boy was beating that stirring charge, and Desaix with his 6,000 was charging the whole Austrian army. “Go,” said he to his aide-de-camp, “tell the first consul I am advancing and must be supported by the cavalry.”

A moment later he fell mortally wounded, but the drum only beat the louder, and his men rushed forward to avenge him. Kellermann’s cavalry charged to support them; the Austrian columns gave way, and were soon a turbulent mass of fugitives.

A greater than Napoleon leads the people of God. Why should His soldiers retreat?