A regiment knows its history, and the history of the 23d had been that of Fougas from February, 1811, to November, 1813.

All the soldiers had heard read, at their messes, the following anecdote: "On the 27th of August, 1813, at the battle of Dresden, the Emperor noticed a French regiment at the foot of a Russian redoubt which was pouring grape upon it.

He asked what regiment it was, and was told that it was the 23d of the line.

'That's impossible!' said he.

'The 23d of the line never stood under fire without rushing upon the artillery thundering at it.' At that moment the 23d, led by Colonel Fougas, rushed up the height at double quick, pinned the artillerists to their guns, and took the redoubt." The officers and soldiers, justly proud of this memorable action, venerated, under the name of Fougas, one of the fathers of the regiment.
The idea of seeing him appear in the midst of them, young and living, did not appear likely, but it was already something to be in possession of his body.