The National tribune., 1882-03-11
THE BATTLE OF SEMPACH,


self-devotion.
From very early times the Dukes of
Austria had domains in Switzerland, and
were constantly striving to extend their
sovereignty in that country; but the Swiss
wished to be free, and in the beginning of
the fourteenth century three of the cantons
(Uri. Schwytz, and Unterwalden) formed a
league against the Austrian power. These
were called the Forest Cantons, and were
each little republics in themselves The
race, and though poor and alarmed, they
gained a victory over the Austrian troops at
Morgarten in 1915. After this Lucerne and
other cantons Joined the Confederation.
In 1886 Leopold, Duke of Austria, who
was brave knight, marched against Sem
pach, on his way to Lucerne, which he hoped
to subdue. He had with him 1,400 foot
soldiers and 1000 cavalry, the horsemen
being the flower Of Austrian knighthood,
and arrayed in complete armor. To deceive
the Swiss the Duke sent force, under the
command of John de Bonstatten, towards
Zurich, as if he meant to attack that place,
and so the Forest Cantons dispatched some
1,400 men to its defense; but when they
discovered the real intention of their enemies,
1900 of them directed their march to Sem
pach, and arriving on the 9th of July,
posted themselves in the woods in the neigh
borhood Of the town.
Early in tire morning Leopold advanced
upon Sempach, thinking to find it defence
less. The knights rode up to the walls and
taunted the burgomaster and the citizens
assembled on them.
3This is for you," said one, holding up Q
halter. &,
another, pointing to the stragglers who were
laying waste the fields.
"My masters of Lucerne and their allies
will bring it," replied the burgonaster, as he
pointed to the woods.
The Austrians looked, and when they saw
the Swiss among the trees they were taken
by surprise. Leopold held council of war
to consider whether it would not be better
to postpone the attack until the arrival of
the other forces. But the proud mobiles ex-
claimed, "God has delivered these peasants
into our hands; it would be shame to us,
armed as we are, to wait for succors against
halfnaked rabble!"
Now the old Baron de Hasenberg well
knew the powers of the Swiss, and said it
was foolish to despise the enemy, as the
fortune of war was uncertain.
"Thou art hare in heart as well as in
Names said young knight; adding, as he
turned to the Duke, This Very noon will
we deliver up to you this handful of rustics"
Applause followed his vain speech.
AS the woods were impracticable for
cavalry, and the horses were fatigued with
the march, the knights dismounted, and
placed them with the foot in the rear. they
then formed themselves into compact
phalanx; and it is said that they hewed off
the long-pointed toes of their sollerets, or foot
armor, that they might stand more firmly
1t was the custom of the Swiss to implore the
protection of the Lord before battle and
when the Austfians saw them fall on, their
knees they exclaimed, "They are supplicat-
ing pardon!" But they were mistaken, for
with loud shouts the Swiss quilted the woods
and rushed into the plain. The greater part
of them had no defensive armor, but boards
fastened to their left arm by way of shields,
whilst a few wore coats of mail. Some were
armed with two-handed swords, or carried
halberds that had been welded by their fore
fathers against the Austrians of yore, and
others bore axes.
Sheathed from head to foot in polished
steel, even their faces being completely COW
cred by the quaint, beaked-shaped visors of
their bassinets, with shields closely locked
and the sharp points of their long
lances projecting far in front, the knights
stood ready to receive the attack Of the de-
spised mountaineers.
The Swiss drew up in the form of wedge,
and without moments hesitation rushed
on the formidable phalanx and the landam-
man of Lucerne and six of their bravest men
met their death on the spear points; and
there stood the glittering wall of steel, and
not single knight was wounded! The
Swiss paused, and almost despaired as they
saw the tanks Of the phalanx advancing into
aGcrescent so as to enclose them. Then
Arnold de Winkelried, a gentleman of Inter
walden, burst from their ranks.
"Dear countrymen and comrades! J" he
cried, protect my wife and children, and I
will open way INTO the line?"
Throwing himself on the enemy, and
his arms out wide and grasping as
many lances as he could he gathered them
in sheaf into his bosom, dragging the
knights down with him as he fell.
The Swiss dashed through the gap into the
midst ofthe phalanx, and swinging their two
handed swords and es,spread havoc among
the knights, who, crowded on one another,
were unable to use their long lanees at
such close quarters. And the servants who
had charge of their horses, seeing the battle
going against their masters, mounted, and
basely rode away; and so deprived them of
their means of escaping, even had they wished
sHase means hare In German.