Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-11

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 rihemen at the crossing looked
around, saw the spectral figures on the
mountain, and in their amazement 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 rifiemen in
full retreat toward their comrades on the
slopes of the Grimsel
The Austrian line on the summit stood
firm for a 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,
clambered 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 Advanced Advancep The Aus
| trians were demoralized by the sudden turn
| of affairs and then came the time for the
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 bayonet charge. In a
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
Fre>eh 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 well aimed
missiles that sped from every rock and
mound On the other side still there was
a lake whose sloping banks were steep and
lev, and many pain stricken men rushed
upon the treacherous ground only TO lose
foothold and be swiftly hurled into thu
chilling waters of the little sea. Th'
French soon formed a circle around thu
summit of the Grimsel, and there gath
cred in several hundred prisoners. TIT
killed and wounded Austrians on the hel'
were between $50 and 200, and many I'm
counted were drowned or lost in the gorge
of the glaciers in trying to make hast.
escape. The French lost twenty men.
In one hour from the time the party LEI
by Fahner appeared on the mountain ores
as a signal for the attack to commence, tn
last shot rang through the mountain glel
and Grimsel pass was won. On the sam
day the general French advance on tn
whole mountain line was successful, Du
not one of the numerous passes assaile'
presented the difficulties of the Grimse
with its paths of snow and ice. One need
y but birds eye view of the region tror
. some exalted peak In the distance to feel
: sbudder at the thought of men riskln
= their lives in crossing the slippery an
i creyiced icefelds, and climbing the noun
aims among ice coated powders, where
: featherweight, a zephyr's breath ever
Q will bring down ponderous masses to hui
% the presumptuous traveller into the ina
y cessible gorges that yawn at the feet
!, every mountain wall. 1t was a wonderfl
II military feat, and the French fully d
70 served the success and glory won by the
70 daring. IEoKGh H. hii-"hn