Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 October 1894 — Promotion on the Field of Battle. [ARTICLE]

Promotion on the Field of Battle.

On the field of battle the Empero: Napoleon would pull up in front ol a regiment, and calling the officers around him, would address each by his name. He would ask each to mention whom among them they considered most worthy of promotion or of a decoration, and then passed on to the soldiers. Such testimony delivered by those of the same rank bound the various regiments together with the bands of confidence and esteem, and these promotions, granted by the soldiers themselves, had all the more value in their eyes. » In the course of one of those distributions of military rewards, which were like family scenes, an under officer was designated to the Emperor as the bravest and the best. The Colonel, while agreeing that he possessed all the qualities necessary to make a good officer, added that, in rendering him this justice, he regretted that, on account of a serious drawback, he was unable to recommend him for promotion. “What is it?’’ asked Napoleon, quickly. “Sire, he can neither read nor write,’’ “I appoint him officer, Colonel;, you will have him admitted as such.”—[Memoirs Baron de Meneval.