The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-10-28

received with rapid and accurate fire, so
that when they had passed over half
the distance they had to traverse they
had lost fifteen men. Disheartened by
this they returned to the mouth of the
defile.
Three more assaults were repulsed in
this manner, and the enemy BY sunset had
lost forty-five men, Of whom ten were
killed. -, r-se ~ >.~-.
The firing from the tower had been
rapid and accurate, but the Austrian CON-
mander had noticed this peculiarly about
it--every shot seemed to come from the
same place. For while this perplexed
him, but at last he came to the conclusion
that there were q number of loOp-holes
close together in the tower so constructed
as to command the ravine perfectly.
At sunset the last assault was made and
repulsed, and at dark the Austrian com.
mander sent a summons to the garrison.
This time the answer was favorable. The
garrison offered to surrender at sunrise the
next morning if allowed to march out
with their arms and returned to the army
unmolested After some hesitation the
terms were accepted.
Meanwhile La Tour d'Auvergne had
passed an anxious day in the tower. He
had opened the fight with an armament of
thirty loaded muskets, but had not been
able to discharge them all. He had fired
with amazing rapidity and with surprising
accuracy, for it was we'll known in the
army that he never threw away shot. He
had determined to stand at his post until
he had accomplished his end, which was
to hold the place twenty -four hours in or.
der to give the French army time to CON-
plete the maneuver. After that he knew
the pass would be of no consequence to
the enemy. When the demand for sur
render came to him after the last assault
he consented to it upon the condition
have named.
The next day, at sunrise, the Austrian
troops lined the pass in two files, extend
ing from the mouth to the tower, leaving
place between them for the garrison to
pass out.
The heavy door of the tower opened
slowly, and in few minutes bronzed
and SCARED grenadier, literally loaded
down with muskets, came out and passed
down the lines of troops. He walked
with difficulty under his heavy load, but
there was proud and satisfied look on
his face.
To the surprise of the Austrians no one
followed him from the tower. In aston
ishment the Austrian Colonel rode up to
him and asked in French why the garrison
did not come.
II am the garrison, Colonel" said the
soldier proudly.
what" exclaimed the Colonel, "do
you mean to tell me that you alone have
held that tower against me?'
II have had that honor. Colonel" was
the reply.
"What possessed you to make such an
attempt, grenadier?''
"The honor of France was at stake"
The Colonel gazed at him for amoment
with undisguised admiration. Then, rails
ing his cap, he said, warmly:
Grenadier, I salute you. You have
proved yourself to-day the bravest Of the
brave'
The officer caused all the aims which
La Tour d'Auvergne could not carry to be
collected, and sent them all with the
grenadier into the French lines, together
with note relating the whole affair.
When the knowledge of it came to the
ears of Napoleon he offered to promote
La Tour d'Auvergne; but the latter de-
clined to accept the promotion, saying that
he preferred to remain where he was.
The brave soldier met his death in an
action at Ouerhausen, in Bavaria, in June,
1900, and the simple but expressive scene
at roll-call in his regiment was CON-
menced and continued by the express
command of the Emperor himself.