Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-11-22
La Tour so'AuyergEe.

For many year there was a touching
and beautiful custom 10 be witnessed in a
certain regiment of French Grenadiers,
and which was meant TO commemorate the
heroism of departed comrade.
When the companies assembled for pa
| rade, and the roll was called, there was
0uswer-it was that of La Tour D'Au-
vergEe. .
When it was called, the oldest sergeant
present stepped a pace forward, and rails
ing his hand to his cap, said, proudly:
''Died on the field of honor
For fourteen years this custom Was
continued, and only ceased when the re-
stored Bourbons, TO please their foreign
masters, forbade everything that was cal
culated to preserve the spirits of the sol
diers of France.
La Tour D'Auvergne was not unworthy
in life the honor thus paid him after his
death. He was educated for the army,
entered in 1867, and in 1871 served under
the Duke de Crlllion at the siege of Port
Mahon. He served always with distnc-
ton, but constantly refused offers of
promotion, saying that he was only fit for
the command of a company of grenadiers
but finally, the various grenadier compa-
nies being united, he found himself in
command of a body of 5000 men, while
retaining only the rank of Captain.
hence he was known as the First
Grenadier of France
But 1t IS of one particular exploit of
his that we wish to write, more than his
career in general.
When he was forty years of age, he
went on a visit to friend, not far from a
section OF the country that was soon to be
the scene OF campaign. While there
he was busy in acquainting himself with
the features of the country, thinking it
not unlikely that this knowledge might be
OF use to ham, and while here the brave
grenadler was astonished to learn that the
war had been rapidly shifting to this quar-
ter, and that a regiment of Austrians was
pushing on to occupy a narrow pass about
ten miles from where he was staying. and
the possession of which would give them
an opportunity TO prevent an important
movement OF the French which was then
on foot.
They hoped 20 surprise this post. and
were moring 80 rapidly upon it that they
were not more than two hours distant
from the place where he was staying. and
which they would have to pass in their
march. 1t matters not how he heard the
news. 1t is sufficient to say that he de-
termned at once TO act upon it,
lie had no idea of being captured by the
enemy IN their advance. and he at once
set OFT for the pass. He knew that the
pass was defended by stout tower, and
a garrison of 80 men, and ne hoped to be
able TO warn the men of their danger.
lie FASTENED on, and arriving there.
found the tower in perfect condition. |
1t had just been vacated by the garrison,
who had heard of the approach of the
Austrians, and had been siezed with n !
panic thereat and had fed, leaving their
arms, consisting of thirty excellent mus
kets
La Tour D'Auvergne gnashed his teeth
with rage as he discovered this. Search
ing in the building he found several boxes
Of ammunition which the towards had not
destroyed For a moment he was in de.
spair, but then with grim smile he began.
10 fasten the main door and pile against
t such articles as he could find.
When he had done this he loaded all
he guns he could find, and placed them,
ogether with good supply Of ammunition