The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-12

For several years II has been known
that the French army has been drilled
and trained as II never was before, and
that II war with Germany should oc-
cur again the Germans would have 10
meet the most skilled, most eager, ana
best-equpped foe that they have ever
faced. The development in warfare by
the French I'm the last ten years has been
nothing short of wonderful. They have
just added to their renown by performing
a feat that doubtless would have aston
ished even Napoleon, with all his daring.
They have taken field artillery across
the Savoy Alps, southwest Of Mont
Blanc. They have reached crests with
heavy guns which hitherto only eagles
and chamois have attained. In other
words. as the French expression goes
they have tanned a mountain.
There has always been fascination
I'm reading Of the battle among the
clouds" on Lookout Mountain, In our
civil war. The task OF surmounting that
was child's play TO this new achievement
Of the French. South OF Mont Blanc is
a valley through which torrent river
runs from the great glacier 81 the noun
tain. At the mouth OF the valley is
Bourg-St. Maurice, where troops may De
massed. and where there are heavy FOR
Valley in Italy. could reach this valley
by the Seine pass but IL would be use
less Sc, attempt 50 Invade France be
cause Of these fortihcations in the valley
through which the hostile troops must
pass. There Is another way 10 get over
into France, and that is over the Alps
toward the west and down by Roselend
to the little hamlet of Beaufort, from
witch there IS a pathway, almost I'M
passable. down the valley OF the Doron.
Individual men might get over TINS crest,
but the idea Of taking even q sHall
oGrnon over il womb have seemed absurd
II il hadn't been done recently. The Hank
OF Mont Blanc at this place Is nearly
eo0o feet high Ii was decided by the
French military authorities 10 make Inc
trip from the BoJrg- St-Maurice fortl-
fcations with field cannon 10 Chapeau1'
v,0erp there is a small GARRISON.
with a prospect Of victory for inspifa-
tion. a battalion Of infantry, one OF Al
pine ctasseurs, and battery or arulIery
started from rg-St.-Maurice on July
18th last An icy rain was railing out
the troops did not falter. They were 10
a56 so the gIoiy 81 the army OF France
soon they were beyond the limits ior
safet, for animals. 1t was imposslols
IN go around the flank Of the mount lam
with ropes ana pultyb' "h ''0 I,
tion shows. these men, with songs anu
shouts OF encouragement 10 each olher'
heut "a their task Of raising the guns
nm the slIppery heights. Fifty men pun
ed ON the rope for each cannon ana a,
every tug e. ch piece slowly mounted
toward the SKY. Obstacle after oosta-
ole was overcome, and on July ZOth tneIe
rolled out a sound over Mont Blanc
eTags and glaciers and precipices tnal
| tyse never heard there before. IL was
| ~ boom OF a mighty cannon. 1t was
| an announcement OF achievement ra'ner
| ran NJ defiance. ard the cheers OF the
soldiers meant that the French artillery'
as well as infantry. had tanned noun
! tain" -.o,,,a
The next day all the cannon reached
the summit OF the crest. Getting Gown
on the other side was more diiiicuit thai,
| Q~tt(0q, IN. The meu and cannon hau
TO 60 down the face OF slope I,oy ~.
feet high. and very steep. Inc WORK
was done with ropes and pulleys, az
! in going up. ana on July 8s' be@elo,'
was reached Surely the French h@ye
a right TO be proud Of this extraor SII -
| achievement. They are now aois ~, - ~
| gt,ard their Alps at their crests. ny
| have shown splendid endurance, ana siisi
we NOT saw most commendable bravery =
Wrappers Young People