The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1882-09-01

now many OF the young peple have
ever heard the story Of that simple
hearted. brave soldier Of Napoleon ;
Empire. 50 long known As the 4. First
Grcnadier Or France
Born in the provinces. La Tour a Au-
yergne received thorough military
schooling. and entered the army when
quite young. Throughout career 81
nearly two score years he served with
fidelity and distinction. vet always re-
fused the promotion which was con
stantly offered him. prcferring. a. he
said the familiar duties Of the Grena-
der to even the glories 81 Marshal.
His wishes were. ia a measure. ~
spected. He held always the rank OF
Captain. though eventually bis com
mand equaled in numbers almost ten
regiments.
After his death. which occurred In &C.
ton. there was instituted in the reyi-
ment with which he had been connected.
and BY the express directions Of Bona
parte himself. a most touching tribute
% his faithful service. His name had
never been stricken from the roll. aud
at IL call. upon the daily parade. the
oldest veteran present would step for
ward. and salu,ing. answer: ..Died On
the field Of battle"
The details Of his histor, show that
his life was well worthy the honors thus
paid to his memory. and many incl
dents are told Of him which illustrate
his unseliish devotion 70 the profession
he loved 80 well.
Upon one occasion. being on furIough.
be paid visit % an old friend in a sec
tion Of the country as yet remote from
actual war. While there. he learned
that detachment Of several hundred
AuStrians. having in view the prcven-
ton Of certain important movement
Of the French. was on the march to 4
spot where this purpose could be easily
accompl shed. TO reach this they must
pass through narrow detile. guarded
BY an old stone tower. which was garri-
soned by perhaps half company Of
French soldiers. To warn these Of
their danger in time 10 prepare for de-
Tense was the aim OF our hero. and put
ting up slender store of provisions, he
started on.
To his d'smay he found on arriving Al
the tower that his comrades had been
only too well warned already. and had
fled, even leaving their muskets and
goodly supply Of ammunition behind
them. He knew thai II the Anstrians
could be held in check long enough to
allow the completion Of the French ma
nGuyer. by that time tower and pas
would be or little use 10 either side.
He determined. single-handed. % make
the tight against regiment There
were many conditions which favored
the successful carrying out Of this brave
resolve. The tower could Be approached
only through narrow ravine. in which
but two or three men could walk abreast.
and as he was abundantly supplied with
arms. the Grenader did not despair 81
At least partial success. lie barficadei
the doors. carefully loaded al the mus
kets. which be placed IN convenient
positions for instant handling. made :
good meal uff the food NJ had brought
with him, and then sat down 70 await
the enemy. lie was unmoIested until
near dawn. when unusual sounds with
out announced the Ausfrians' approach.
They haltedat the mouth 81 the deiile.
and almost Immediately IN officer, bear
ing . flag 81 truce. appeared with de-
mand for surrender
DAuvergne answered the call, reply
ing that 1.-THE garrison would defend
itself to the last, and the messenger,
little snspecting that the entire garrison
was comprised In the person Of the sin
gle soldier who stood before him. rr-
tired "A small cannon was shortly Aft
er brought % bear upon the tower; but
our Grenadier made such good use of