Napoleon and the Queen of Prussia

by L. Mühlbach

  CHAPTER XLVIII.

  SCHILL'S DEATH.

  Schill was sitting, sad and deserted, at his lonely quarters in Rostock,where, after many adventures, he arrived on the 20th of May. He hadsucceeded in nothing; fortune had not once been favorable to him. He hadintended to turn toward Magdeburg, in hope that its garrison ofWestphalian troops would joyously open the gates of the fortress, anddeclare against King Jerome, who had been forced upon them. But, at adistance of a German mile from the city the columns of the enemy had methim, and an engagement had taken place at Dodendorf. It was in vain thatSchill had sent a flag of truce to his German brethren to request themto join him, imploring them not to betray the fatherland for the sake ofa French king.

  The Westphalians shot the bearer of the flag of truce, and a murderousfire was their only reply. Now began the desperate struggle of brethrenagainst brethren--of Germans against Germans!

  Schill was victorious in this battle. He mortally wounded the Frenchcommander of the Westphalians, Colonel Vautier; his hussars fought likelions and dispersed the enemy; a hundred and sixty prisoners, severalstands of colors, and a large number of small-arms, were the trophies ofthis brilliant affair. But he was unable to derive any benefit from theDodendorf victory; fearing lest a larger corps should leave Magdeburgand attack him, he retreated, overwhelmed with grief, for he at lastunderstood that the German soldiers were deaf to his appeals, and thatthe Westphalians, faithful to their French king, refused to desert him.

  Nor had Schill's second victory, the occupation of Doenritz, beenadvantageous to him. Moreover, dissensions had arisen among theofficers themselves; the regiment, so enthusiastic at first, commencedgradually to lose faith in his ability to succeed in his boldenterprise; the officers insisted on being consulted as to futureoperations. They refused to yield obedience, and demanded that he shouldlisten to their advice and remonstrances. But resistance rendered himonly more determined, and in his obstinacy he frequently rejectedprudent counsel, that he might accomplish his own plans. His mind wasconfused by disappointment, and at length by despair. He was, in fact,unequal to the dangers surrounding him.

  Schill was sitting, sad and deserted, at his lonely quarters in Rostock,absorbed in discouraging thoughts, and sighing at the frustration of hishopes. In his hand he held the memorandum-book the queen had presentedto him, and read again and again the words she had written: "To braveMajor von Schill." Suddenly the door behind him opened, and Lieutenantvon Luetzow, with his uniform covered with dust, entered the room.

  Schill slowly turned his head. "Well, Luetzow, have you returned?" heasked. "Were you at Doberan? Did you see the duke?"

  "Yes, I was at Doberan."

  "And what news do you bring? Bad news, of course! Did you see the Dukeof Mecklenburg?"

  "No, the duke had given orders to admit neither you nor any of yourdelegates. He says he will have nothing to do with insurgents andrebels."

  "Of course," exclaimed Schill, laughing scornfully, "he is a Germanprince, and, therefore, cannot adhere to the cause of Germany, but mustside with France! Oh, I ought to have known it before. Well, it is allright. What other news do you bring, Luetzow?"

  "Here, major, is a paper issued by King Jerome of Westphalia. Hismajesty does you the honor to call you in this proclamation a chief ofrobbers, a pirate, and a deserter, and commands the military and civilauthorities to hunt you down. He also offers a reward of ten thousandfrancs to him who will bring you dead or alive to Cassel."

  "Is that so?" exclaimed Schill, laughing. "Well, M. Jerome attaches atolerably high value to my head. I am sorry that I am unable to returnthe compliment. I shall reply this very day to Jerome's proclamation byissuing one to the Germans, and by promising a reward of five dollarsfor his delivery, living or dead.--What else, lieutenant?"

  "The Emperor Napoleon has also issued an edict against Schill and hismen. He says in this document: 'A certain Schill, a sort of highwayrobber, who committed crime upon crime during the last campaign inPrussia, and was rewarded with a captaincy, has deserted with his wholeregiment from Berlin, marched to Wittenberg, and surrounded that place.General Lestocq, governor of Berlin, has declared Schill a deserter, andthe King of Prussia has given orders to arrest him wherever he can befound, and to put the insurgent on trial before a court-martial.'"

  "Yes," murmured Schill, musingly, "the German patriot has become aninsurgent, and is to be punished for what he attempted in the salvationof his country. It was quite unnecessary for the emperor to abuse andrevile him who boldly opposed his tyranny; the King of Prussia and thegovernor of Berlin had already done so. And what else does Napoleonsay?"

  "He orders a corps of observation to be formed on the Elbe, to becommanded by the marshal, Duke of Valmy, and to be sixty thousandstrong."

  "Sixty thousand men!" exclaimed Schill. "Ah! it seems M. Napoleon has apretty good opinion of 'that deserter Schill,' inasmuch as he considershim dangerous enough to oppose to him an army of sixty thousand men.Thank you, M. Bonaparte, thank you for this acknowledgment. It is adelightful balm to the tortured heart of the poor Prussian deserter; itrestores his courage. Let us advance undauntedly--we may conquer yet.The Germans may awake and rally round the standard of liberty!"

  "Alas, Schill, I am afraid your hopes are in vain," said Luetzow, sadly."I am not yet done with my bad news."

  "Not yet?" asked Schill, mournfully. "Proceed!"

  "Vienna has fallen!"

  "Vienna fallen!" cried Schill, in dismay. "Is that really true?"

  "It is. The Emperor Francis and his family have fled to Hungary, and theEmperor of the French has again made his triumphant entry."

  "And the Viennese did not even try to defend their city?"

  "They did try, but soon laid down their arms and submitted quietly tothe conqueror. Napoleon has established his headquarters at Schoenbrunn,and issued a proclamation to the Austrians. He calls upon them to befaithful and obedient to him, and disbands the militia of Vienna. Ageneral amnesty is granted to those who surrender their arms."

  "A general amnesty," exclaimed Schill, "for the crime they committed incomplying with the request of their sovereign to take up arms and defendtheir country! And what is to be done with those who do not surrender?"

  "The houses of both officers and privates of the militia who do notreturn home within a specified time, are to be burned down, theirproperty confiscated, and themselves tried and punished as rebels."

  "Oh," exclaimed Schill, raising his hands, "is there still justice inheaven, or is it also asleep! Is there no ear for our wails, nocompassion for our disgrace? What is natural, grows unnatural; honorbecomes dishonor; patriotism, rebellion--and Heaven seems to permit it!"

  "Yes," said Luetzow, with a melancholy smile. "What Ovid said of Cato nowbecomes true of you: 'The victorious cause pleases the gods, but thevanquished one pleases you!'"

  "Yes," murmured Schill, "the vanquished cause pleased Cato! and it shallalso please Schill as long as he breathes. It shall please him thoughhis king call him a deserter, and a court-martial pass sentence of deathupon him. 'The people of Nuremberg hang none but those they have incustody,' is a proverb often repeated, and I think the people ofKoenigsberg will not shoot a man they cannot catch! I would rather betrampled to death by the horses of the enemy, than pierced by thebullets of my German brethren. The matter is settled, Luetzow; let uscontinue the struggle."

  "Continue the struggle?" asked Luetzow. "I beseech you, take my adviceand do not follow the dictates of courage alone; listen also to those ofprudence. It will be utterly useless, Schill; we should husband ourstrength for better times. We are threatened either by military force,or the rigor of the law. Prussia has drawn up a corps on her frontier torepulse us, if need be, should we come armed; and, if unarmed, she wouldhave us tried by a court-martial. Napoleon's corps of observation isstationed on the boundaries of Saxony and Westphalia, and even the Kingof Denmark has ordered General von Ewald to march against us."

  "The stag has been surrounded, but not yet capture
d," exclaimed Schill."There is still a place where he may escape. The King of Sweden has notyet a corps in the field against us, and Stralsund is occupied only by agarrison of scarcely three hundred men, commanded by General Candras.Let us march thither and surprise the fortress. When Stralsund is ours,we are on the sea-shore, and in communication with the British; we haveships in the harbor, on which, if every thing else should fail, we couldfind an asylum, and hasten to England."

  "But suppose we should not take Stralsund?" asked Luetzow. "How could weescape? I beseech you, listen to reason, consider our hopelesssituation; save yourself--save the poor soldiers who have reposedconfidence and hope in you! Let us embark for England. There arewell-nigh thirty ships in the harbor of Warnemuende; if they refuse totake us on board, we can compel them."

  "No," exclaimed Schill, vehemently. "We shall do just as I said--marchto Stralsund and take the fortress. But Lieutenant Baersch is to seizetwenty of the ships at Warnemuende and embark on them our baggage, thesick, and the military chest, and convey them to the island of Ruegen. Westart to-morrow and take Stralsund. That is my plan, and it must beaccomplished!"

  And Schill's plan was accomplished. He marched his hussars to Stralsund,and for a moment fortune smiled on him. The French commander, GeneralCandras, preferred to meet the enemy in the open field instead ofawaiting him behind the half-decayed fortifications. He marched againstSchill with the whole garrison and a battery of light artillery; but thePrussian hussars, with a shout attacked the enemy, and dispersed them,took six hundred prisoners, and made their triumphant entry intoStralsund.

  "And here let us conquer or die," said Schill to his officers, who werestanding around him. "Friends, brethren! the day of success is at hand,and Stralsund is the first taken. Let us remain here; throw upintrenchments against the enemy, and wait for the succor which Englandhas so often promised."

  "Let us not wait for this succor," said one of the officers; "let usmeet it."

  "Every hour of delay increases the danger," exclaimed another. "If we donot now embrace the opportunity--if we do not start without delay, andmeet the English squadron in the open sea, or hasten to the Swedishshore, we must inevitably perish."

  "It would be foolhardiness to remain here for the enemy's superior forceto attack us," said a third. "To struggle against such odds is folly,and prudent men submit to the decrees of fortune, instead of resistingthem in a spirit of childish petulance."

  "Let us husband our resources for a future day," said a fourth. "It willcome when Germany, which is repudiating us now, will stand in need ofour assistance, and call us to her side. Let us preserve ourselves formore favorable prospects, and a greater probability of success."

  Schill looked angrily on his officers. "Is there no one who will raisehis voice against these opinions?" he asked. "Is there no one who willreply to the timid and desponding, in the name of honor, courage, andpatriotism?"

  All were silent; a murmur of indignation was the only reply. "Well,then," exclaimed Schill, ardently, "I will myself speak against you all;I will tell you that it is cowardly to flee from danger, and to think ofdefeat instead of victory; that it is perfidious to desert our countrywhen in danger, to save one's own miserable life. Accursed be he whothinks of flight and of forsaking the great cause which we are serving!We must hold Stralsund to the last man. We must make it a GermanSaragossa, and lie dead beneath the ruins of the city rather thansurrender. Let us repair the fortifications, throw up new earthworks,and await the enemy behind the intrenchments. This is my resolution; Iwill not suffer contradiction, but treat as rebels and mutineers thosewho dare to act contrary to my orders! The soldiers obey me, and I amtheir commander. But such of the officers as do not wish to participatelonger in the struggle; who, instead of remaining true to their duty,prefer to save their lives by flight, are at liberty to do so. I willnot prevent them from making their escape; they may embark on one of theships in the harbor, and flee whither they desire. Let them remember,however, that they will leave their dishonor here, and will notparticipate in the glory which posterity may grant as the onlyconquerors' crown to poor Schill and his faithful men. Let such asdesire to flee step forth and receive their discharge." A long pauseensued. No one advanced.

  "We agreed to serve under the leadership of Major von Schill," at lastsaid the oldest officer, in a grave, solemn voice; "we have sworn tofight under him against the enemies of our country, to remain with himto the last, and to obey his orders. We shall fulfil our oath, and notfaithlessly desert the banner which we have hitherto followed. Let Majorvon Schill consider, however, that he is responsible for the lives ofall those who have united their destiny with his own, and that hisconscience, God, and posterity, will judge him, if instead of preservingthem he should lead them to an inglorious death or captivity. If Majorvon Schill is unwilling to listen to prudence--if he refuses to embarkand escape with us, we will all remain, and, with him, await our fate.Speak, then, major, will you go with us or remain?"

  "I will remain," exclaimed Schill, energetically. "I will await theenemy; I will conquer or die on German soil. Oh, friends, comrades, donot speak to me of flight or submission; Schill does not flee, Schilldoes not submit! I have tried to arouse my country; I have stretched outmy hand toward my countrymen, and said to them, 'I will assist you inshaking the sleep from your half-closed eyes. Rise! and I will lead youin the path of liberty and honor. My arm is strong, and my sword issharp; unite with me, and let us expel the tyrant!' But Germany did notlisten to my appeal; she is still sleeping too soundly, and God did notdecree that I should accomplish my task. Perhaps Providence may intendthat you and I shall strengthen the cause of liberty by shedding ourblood--our death will awaken the sleepers, that they may avenge us. TheGermans entertain great admiration for the dead. It is only toward theliving that they are cold and reserved. Brethren, let us die for libertyif we cannot live for it. Let us remain united in life and death!"

  "Yes, united in life and death!" exclaimed all the officers, and theythronged around Schill to shake hands with him, and to assure him oftheir fidelity.

  Four days of repose and peace followed.--Schill profited by them torepair the decayed intrenchments and fortifications, and made allnecessary preparations for an obstinate defence against the approachingenemy.

  On the 31st of May, early in the morning, while the major was reviewinghis troops in the market-place, wild shouts were heard in the streets.They drew nearer and nearer. Soldiers were rushing toward Schill, andbehind them, at some distance, others in red uniforms became visible.

  A flash of joy kindled the patriot's face. "The English," he exclaimed,in a loud voice, "see their red coats! The English have landed, and arecoming to our assistance!"

  "The English are coming!" echoed the exultant soldiers.

  "No, no," gasped one of the guards, who had just reached themarket-place, "the Dutch are coming--it is the enemy! They surprised usat the Knieper gate, dispersed our infantry, and penetrated into thecity. See! their assaulting columns are already advancing! Let every oneescape as he can!"

  "It is the enemy!" exclaimed Schill, vaulting on his horse.

  "Come, brethren, let us meet them. The cavalry will remain here as ourreserve. The other troops will follow me to the Triebseer gate!" And hegalloped into the narrow street leading to the gate, followed by hismen. He was a picture of heroism as he rode at the head of his band,with his hair streaming in the wind, and his countenance beaming withcourage. Turning with a smile to Lieutenant Alvensleben, who was ridingat his side, "Oh," he said, "it seems to me as though a heavy load hadbeen removed from my breast, and I could breathe freely again. Thedecisive struggle is at hand, and burdensome life will be resigned withjoy. I shall die, my friend, die. Hurrah! forward! liberty is beckoningto me, glorious liberty!"

  He spurred his horse and galloped more rapidly, Alvensleben remaining athis side.

  "Friend," exclaimed Schill, further on, "when I am no more, defend meagainst my enemies, and greet my friends! Take my last oath of fealty tothe que
en, and my last love-greeting to Germany, when she is free.Hurrah! there comes the enemy! Let us sing an inspiring song!" And hesang in a loud voice:

  "Tod du suesser, fuer das Vaterland! Suesser als der Brautgruss, als das Lallen Auf dem Mutterschooss des ersten Kindes, Sei mir willkommen!"

  "_Willkommen_!" he cried again, and galloped more rapidly past the Dutchsoldiers, who were just emerging from a side-street and cut him off fromAlvensleben and his other followers. The enemy, commanded by the DutchGeneral Carteret, was also approaching from the opposite street. Thepatriot galloped into the midst of the staff--his sabre flashed, and thegeneral fell from his horse as if struck by lightning. Schill turnedwhen he was unable to penetrate through this body of men obstructing thestreet. But another battalion had already formed behind him and cut himhopelessly off from assistance. His own men tried to reach him. Shouts,oaths, cries of defiance and fury, with the groans of the dying, rentthe air.

  Schill saw that he was lost, that he was no longer able to save himself,his faithful men, or his fatherland! There was no escape for him. Deathwas howling around him on all sides, panting for its prey. Suddenly thecolumn of the enemy opened; he saw the gap, and spurred his horse with adesperate effort, making him leap into the midst of the enemy. The Dutchsoldiers fell back in dismay, and Schill galloped by them into FaehrStreet. Forward, as on the wings of a tempest, he hastened to theassistance of his men. A bullet hissed past him--another shot was fired.He wavered in the saddle; the bullet had struck him! A detachment ofDutch soldiers were just coming up the street. The man heading them sawthe pale Prussian officer, who was scarcely able to retain his seat.

  "It is Schill! it is Schill!" he cried out, rushing forward.

  "Hurrah, it is Schill!" shouted the others, aiming their muskets at him.Three shots were fired. The brave Prussian still kept the saddle, buthis hand dropped the bridle, and the horse stood still. The Dutchchasseurs surrounded and cut him. He lay helpless on the ground--thatherculean man. He was still alive; his eyes, that had so beamed withcourage, cast their last glance toward heaven, and his lips, that smiledso sweetly, murmured, "_Tod du suesser fuer das Vaterland_!" A powerfulsabre-stroke at last ended his life. His enemies despoiled his body,tearing off his decorations, and robbing him of a small crown of pearlsand the memorandum-book, both gifts of the queen whom he loved so well,and for whom he fought so bravely. They seized the corpse and dragged italong the street in order to present it to their general. His hands werebesmeared with mire; his uniform torn by the brutal grasp of theconquerors, and his gory head trailed along the pavement. He was at lastdeposited in the vestibule of the city hall, where the meat-merchants ofStralsund trade on market days.

  A butcher's bench was the catafalque of unfortunate Ferdinand vonSchill, the martyr of German liberty! There he lay, a horriblespectacle, with broken limbs, a face deformed by bruises andsabre-gashes, and his eyes glaring to heaven as if in accusation of theignominy of his death and the brutality of his enemies.