The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-31

ed. Suddenly a couple of shots rang ont
from the icy lodges under the crest OF the
NaegeIis-Graetli. and others soon followed
from the snowy heights above, directly on
the Austrian right flank
The rifemel at the crossing looked
around, saw the spectral figures on the
mountain. and in their amaZement fred
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 riaemen 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 shot,
clambered up the slope, every man for him
self, some with their muskets slung across
their backs, Others using them as alpen-
stocks 70 aid in climbing. Drum and bugle
note mingled with the spirited cries that
ever herald a French charge: Forward,
comradesI Advanced Advance 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 gelis-GraetI 20 put
in their finishing strokes. Now il was the
Austrians whose bullets would be wasted If
aimed at targets 50 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 a
short time the Austrian ranks were broken,
and the leaders atten pied in vain to pre-
serve order Many OF the French sharp
shooters had dropped down the rocky
mountain side and made their way square
IL 70 tie 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 s1rged forward only 70 be met by
French bullets from the direct front; then
TO the night, 20 be cut down By the gallant
fellows on the mountain side, and 70 the
rear. only TO fall before the well aimed
missiles that sped from every rock and
mound On the other side stil there was
a lake whose slopjng banks were steep and
icy, and many pain stricken men rushed
upon the treacherous ground only 20 lose
foothold and De swiftly hurled into tEs
chilling waters OF the little SEA Tne
TElc0 %0OD 6ES8IA TIE
summit CT the Griulsel, and there gath
cred IL several hundred prisoners The
killed and wounded Austriaus on the fed
were between 80 and 30. and Eauy ua-
counted were drowned OF lost In the gorges
OF the glaciers in trying 70 make hasty
escape The French lost twenty men
II one hour from tee tine the party led
bv Palmer appeared on the uo1 nt2in crsst
a. a signal for the attack 20 connecce. tbs
iass shot rang through the mountain glen
aad Griusel pass Was Won On the sane
day the general French advance ca TIE
whole mountain HDe Vas successful. Bot
not oae % ire numerous passes ssszllsd
presented the cif5culrles Of ELe GFlDsei.
with irs paths Of sno< and lee One needs
but birds ere VIEW Of the rsZloa FROM
sons exalted peak n he distance . feel
snUddsr a. the thought Of men rlskiug
thszr lITes X crossing the slippery ard
ersvice1 ice6eIds. aud climbing the mount
aims among sce coared boEIdeTx, WHERE a
festhsrvelght, > zePhyr's breath eTs7-
viii briag down por3>-o-1s E1zsses % hEri
t1s pres an psuous Traveller into The mac
eassg5.e so-E=s thai yzTn At TIE tses Of
ever uJzntz1a <aE II was : wonderful
military fkzs. ard the F-ezra fully d.
served the sncces= and gsoTy E0n Ct thar
cA-1z=. GEogEE I. kILEEz