Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-12-12
MI s seELIAisnlEE GU S
DEAD eN THB. PIRLD oP HnMoR.

DEAD ON TIE FIELD OF HONOR,
w many of the young people have eye,
4 heard the story cf that simple hearted.
brave soldier of Napolsoa's empire, SO Hong
known as tho .'First GTensdIer OF FrahcesY'i
4 =, Born in the proViuces, IasTour d, Auvergne
received ssthorough military schooliue and
entered the army when quite young Through.
out a career of nearly. two score wears. ho
served ever with fidelity and distinction, vet
always refused the promotion Which was COR
stantly offered him, preforring as he said
tho familiar duties of the grenadier to even
the glories ora marshal. His wishes were.
10 measure, respected He held always the
rank of captain, though eventually his CONS
mand equated in numbers almost ten reyi
ments: Attcr his death, which occurred in
action, there was Instituted in the regiment
with which he had been connected, and by
express directions of BoEeparte himself !,
most touching tribute to his service. His
name had never been stricken from the roll
and atits call, upon The daily parade, the
Oldest veteran present would step forward
and, sulutinE, answer, "Dead on the field of
honor. The details of his history show that
his life WAS well worthy the honor thus raid
to his memory, aud many incidents are told
| of him which illustrates his nnseIfish deye-
tion to the profession no loved so well.
Upon one occasion, being on furlough. he
paid visit TO an old friend in q section of
the country remote from actuai war. While
there he learned that detachment of sew.
eral hundred Austrians, having in view tho
| prevention of certain important movement e
| OF the French, was on the march to spot
where this purpose could be easily accom-
plished. Poreach this they must pnss through
narrow defle, guarded by an old stoue
tower, which was garrisoued by perhaps half
company of French soldiers. To warn these
OF their danger in timc to prepare for defence
was the aim of our hero, and putting up q
slender store of provisions, he started off. To
his dismay, he found on arriving at the tower
that his comrades had bccn too we'll warned.
already, and hsd fed, leaving thoir muskets
and goodly supply of ammunition behind
them. lie knew that if the Austrians could
be hold 10 check lnng enough TO allow the
| completion OF the French mapeuvre. by that
time tower and pass would: bc of little use TO
either side. He determined, pinelehanded.
to make the fight against a regiment.
There wcrc many conditions which favored
the successful carrying ou. of this brave re-
solve. Tho tower could be approached only
threngh narrow ravine. in which but ego
or three ncn could walk abreast, aud as hc
was abundantly supplied with arms, the crena-
dier did not despair of et least pastisl success.
he barricaded tho doors, carefully loaded
all the muskets, which he placed in convo>
nient position for Instant handling, made a
good meal off theio he had brought with
him, and then sat down to await the enemy.
He was uBmolAsted until near. dawn when
unusual sounds without announced the AUS
l-trIanss sapproaoh They halted nt the month
OF the defi'e. aud aluiost Immediately an Of
ihcers bearing q flag af.truce, Appeared with a
demand for surrender. d. D.AuyeTeue answered
the call. replying that tttile garrison vopIl
defend itseH to the last, and the messenger.
-liile suspecting that the entire garrison was
comprised IN she7pcrson, Of tile single seIdisr
| who stood bofare him, retired. a srnailean-
I not Hss
upon the tower; but our grenadier made such
good use 9th weapons, that fslfa dozen of
the a Anstrisns lsy wounded upon the ground
before they could fire single shot. Finding
this mode of attack iuoEectual, an assault was
ordered but ae the head of tho column came
within range of the tower, SO deadly fire
was poured upon it, that it was ordered back
amid great confusion. Two further attacks
were made. with like results, and when ninht
fell the aolisary grensdier vas still in pcsses<
SION OF his stronghold, and unhuFt, while
nesrty htty OF the enemy were either killed
or wounded. Sunset brought second suTn>
mons to yield, with an intimation that. If rc>
fused. a regular siege would be entered upon
and kept up till hunger should compel sub
| mission. Decm:ng the twenty hours which
bad elapsed sufficient time for the. accou>
piishment of the French move, D'Auverpne
returned answer that the garrison would sur.
render the following morning if allowed safe
| conduct to the French lines, and permission
to retain its arms. These terms. after little
parley, were acceded to.
At dsybreak on the morrow, accordingly.
the enemy were drawn up to receive the van
| qaished "gsrrison." The door Of the tower
opened, and soiled aud Scared veteran, lit
orally staggering under the weight of as many
muskets as he could carry, walked slowly be-
tween The ranks, and depositiug his Iozd at
the feet of the colonelJ saluted. To the sur
| prise of the latter, no one followed.
:" But where is tho garrison, grsnadier 2"
asked he.
"sir, Ism the garrison" replied the soldier.
For moment astouishneDt beid the AUS
trian dumb then ordering his command to
present arms. and raising his cap, "Grena-
dier. salnte you" said he; $50 brave deed
is without parallel"
The desired escort was provided. and with
It was sent dispatch relating the whole af.
fair. When the circumstances became known
to the Emperor. the offer of promotion was
removed, aud agsin declined. and D'Auyerrne
remained to the day of his death sin ply the
"First GrcnadieF Of France"