eled, and
the rest was like an indistinct dream.

CHAPTER XXIV. A FRAGMENT OF A MAITRE d'ARMES EXPERIENCES

Stunned, and like one but half awake, I followed the tide of marching
men which swept past like a mighty river, the roar of the artillery and
the crash of battle increasing the confusion of my brain. All distinct
memory of the remainder of the day is lost to me. I can recollect
the explosion of several wagons of the ammunition train, and how the
splinters wounded several of those around me; I also have a vague,
dreamy sense of being hurried along at intervals, and then seeing masses
of cavalry dash past. But the great prevailing thought above all others
is, of leaning over the edge of a charrette, where I lay with some
wounded soldiers, to watch the retreat of the Prussians, as they were
pursued by Murat's cavalry. Francois was at my side, and described to
me the great events of the battle; but though I seemed to listen, the
sounds fell unregarded on my ear. Even now, it seems to me like a dream;
and the only palpable idea before me is the heated air, the dark and
lowering sky, And the deafening thunder of the guns.

It is well known how the victory of Jena was crowned by the glorious
issue of the battle of Auerstadt, where the main body of the Prussians,
under the command of the king himself, was completely beaten by Davoust
with a force not half their number. The two routed armies crossed in
their flight, while the headlong fury of the French cavalry pressed down
on them; nor did the terrible slaughter cease till night gave respite to
the beaten.

The victors and the vanquished entered Weimar together, a distance of
full six leagues from the field of battle. All struggle had long ceased.
An unresisting massacre it was; and such was the disappointment and
anger of the people of the country, that the Prussian officers were
frequently attacked and slain by the peasantry, whose passionate
indignation made them suspect treachery in the result of the battle.

All whose wounds were but slight, and whose health promised speedy
restoration, were mounted into wagons taken from the enemy, and sent
forward with the army. Among this number I found myself, and that same
night slept soundly and peacefully in the straw of the charrette in
which I travelled from Jena.

The Emperor's headquarters were established at Weimar, and thither all
the ambulances were conveyed; while the marshals, with their several
divisions,