The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-06-18

ed. Suddenly a couple of shots rang out
from the icy lodges under the crest of the
Naegelis-Graetli, and Others soon followed
from the snowy heights above. directly on
the Austrian right flank.
The rifiemen at the crossing looked
around, saw the spectral figures on the
mountain, and in their amusement fired
wildly. The French vanguard seeing their
opportunity charged upon the excited Aus
TRANS. and before the smoke of the volley
that received them had cleared away they
were over the bridge, and the riflemen in
full retreat toward their comrades on the
slopes of the Grimsel.
The Austrian line on the summit stood
firm for moment. The French threw
themselves across the bridge, and formed
on the plateau at the foot of the slopes.
Then, as the ascent began, they deployed
right and left and without firing a shot,
ciambered up the slope, every man for him
self, some with their muskets slung across
their backs, others using them as alpen-
stocks to aid in climbing. Drum and bugle
note mingled with the spirited cries that
ever herald French charge: Forward,
comrades! Advance! Advancer' The Aus
TRANS were demoralized by the sudden turn
of affairs, and then came the time for the
bold mountain climbers ON the steep and
rocky slope of the Naegelis- Graetli to put
in their finishing strokes. Now it was the
Austrians whose bullets would be wasted If
aimed at targets so far above the heads of
the marksmen, and the rocky ACTIVITY be-
tween them and this body of Frenchmen
would not admit of a bayonet charge. In q
short time the Austrian ranks were broken,
and the leaders attempted in vain to pre-
serve order. Many of the French sharp
shooters had dropped down the rocky
mountain side and made their way square
ly to the rear Of the Austrian position.
AS soon as the news spread among the
Austrian soldiers that the way of retreat
was cut the widest confusion set in. The
mass surged forward only to be met by
French bullets from the direct front; then
to the right, to be cut down by the gallant
fellows on the mountain side, and to the
rear, only to fall before the we'll aimed
missiles that sped from every rock and
mound. On the other side still there was
a lake whose sloping banks were steep and
icy, and many pain stricken men rushed
upon the treacherous ground only to lose
foothold and be swiftly hurled into the
chilling waters of the little sea. The
French soon formed u circle around the
summit of the Grimsel, and there gath
cred in several hundred prisoners. The
killed and wounded Austrians on the field
were bet"e cen $50 and 2OO and many un-
counted were drowned or lost in the gorges
of the glaciers in trying to make hasty
escape The French lost twenty men.
In one hour from the time the party led
by Fahner appeared on the mountain crest
as signal for the attack to commence, the
last shot rang through the mountain glen
and Grimsel pass WAS won. On the same
day the general French advance on the
whole mountain line was successful, but
not one Of the numerous passes assailed
presented the difficulties of the Grimsel,
with its paths of snow and ice. One needs
but IA birds eye view of the region from
some exalted peak in the distance to feel a
shud,ler at the thought of men risking
their lives in crossing the slippery and
creviced icefields, and climbing the mount
aims among ice coated powders, where a
featherweight, a zephyrs breath even,
will bring down ponderous masses to hurl
the presu,nptuous traveller into the mac
ces~ible gorges that yawn at the feet Of
every mountain wall. 1t was a wonderful
military feat, and the French fully de
served the success and glory won by their
daring. GEORGE L. KILMER