Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-05-17
FIRST 6ReNAoIeR OF FRANCE.
How the Austrian Colonel Was Surprised
when the Garrison Marched Out.

49,
Ia Tour D'Auvergne was educated
for the army. which he entered in
1867. lie served with distinction but
refused Offers of promotion, saying
that lac waS only fit for the command
of "A company Of grenadier>. While
on a visit 10 II friend, about the year
1890, he learned that a regiment of
Austrlans was pushing on To occupy "A
narrow pass. the possession of which
would he a great embarrassment To the
French. This pass was defended by
a strong tower and a garrison of thirty
men. DAuvergne Immediately set
off To warn the garrison of lis danger.
On arriving there he found that the
men had taken the alarm and fled, in
their haste leaving part of their guns
and ammunition behind. For a mo-
ment the grenadier was in despair;
then he resolved to attempt the de-
Tense of the pass alone. He made his
preparations, loaded the guns and
watched for the enemy. The pass was
steep and narrow, and the Austrians
could only enter in double file, i'm do
ing which they would be fully exposed
to the fire from the tower. 1t was near
midnight when d'Auyergne heard the
tramp Of feet entering the defle. He
Immediately discharged two muskets
into the darkness as a warning that the
garrison was prepared 10 resist. The
Austrian commander, finding hal his
plan Of attack had failed, postponed
his attack, and at sunrise called upon
the garrison to surrender. Say to
your commander that the garrison will
defend the pass 10 the last extremity
the brave grenadier replied.
The officer. with his flag of truce.
carried back this message, and shortly
afterward IA piece of artillery was
brought into the pass. The grenadier
opened such "A destructive fire upon
the gunners that it was soon aban.
doned, with Il loss of five men. The
Austrian colonel ordered au assault.
As the troops entered the drtile they
We're received with 80 accurate and
rapid a fire that by the time they had
passed over half the distance they had
lost fifteen men. They returned To the
mouth of the dciilr Three more as.
saults We're repuls'l in like manner.
AT sunset the Ausirians sent a second
summons 10 surrender. y favorable
answer Vols this time returned. The
garrison would sIrrender on the next
morning if allowed TO march out un.
Dlolested.
After some hesitation the terms were
accepted. D,Auvergne had accom-
plished his object. The twenty.four
hours which he had gained had relieved
the French of all embarrassment. and
the carrying Of the pass was now Of
little moment to the enemy. The next
day at sunrise the Austrian troops
lined the pass in two files. and through
them the garrison was 10 pass out.
The heavy door of the tower opened.
and a bronzed grenadier, loaded down
with muskets, came out and walked
past the troops. In establishment the
Austrian colonel rode up to him and
asked why the garrison did not follow.
Il am the garrison, colonel the
soldier answered proudly.
What! Do you mean that you alone
have held that tower against meI' ex-
claimed the Austrian.
Il have had the honor. colonel"
was the reply. The honor of France
was at stake"
The colonel gazed at him a moment
with admiration, then said warmly:
'Grenadier, ! salute you. can ad-
mire bravery if it is in an enemy"
When the circumstance came to the
knowledge Of Napoleon he offered to
promote the brave %Frenchman; but
D'Auvergne said No" The various
grenadler companies were afterwards
united, and he found himself in com.
mand of 5000 mel while retaining
only the rank Of captain. Hence he
was known as The First Grenadier
of France. - Montreal Star.