REMINISCENCES OF THE LEWS. 261 



only for two years in Spain, where the gallant 

 Colbert fell by his side, but for several in 

 Germany; who at Jena had cut his way through 

 the Prussian hussars, carrying his marshal's 

 orders, and was reported as dead in conse- 

 quence of the wounds there received — refused 

 obedience. But, unwilling that there should 

 be any resort to force, which would probably 

 have led to bloodshed, the young general sig- 

 nified his intention of parading his small force 

 at a certain hour on the Place d'Armes, and 

 then evacuating the town. This he accordingly 

 did, and directed his troops to proceed to 

 Cherbourg. He had already passed most of 

 the troops in his division into that place, 

 together with all disbanded soldiers passing 

 through Caen from the army of the Loire and 

 different other quarters. Thus, by the time 

 the Prussians were ready to occupy Cherbourg, 

 it was garrisoned with a good body of veteran 

 troops, burning with hatred against them more 

 than any of the Allies. They did not venture 

 to force their way in, finding discretion the 

 better part of valour. Thus backed, perhaps, 

 a little by that pressure that saved the bridge 

 of Jenaj Cherbourg was preserved from the 

 Prussians. The task, however, was difficult, 

 for, had any collision taken place, the French 



