The morning times., 1896-11-15
Boy Of
Hreo1s.
Drummer

Perhaps no picture more fires the patriot
ism OF the French heart than does that in
which Napoleon is representated, flag In
hand, making his final stand upon the
bridge or Arcole at the memorable battle
fought there. Historians too, love to
dwell upon IL; quoting from one OF the
latest: AT that moment another French
corps passed over, lower down, by a Terry,
and the Austrians becoming discouraged.
III spite Ol large reinforcemcuts which had
come under AlvincZy, the last charge on
The bridge was successful" To few, even
in France, is the little odyssey familiar,
which without doubt gave the victory on
this occasion 10 Napoleon. OF the drummer
boy of ArcOle even the encyclopedias are
silent. The documents which concern him
are not easily gathered, but Mistral 10
an admirable poem has told the story
Andre Etienne, the drummer boy Of
Arcoie, Is nO legendary persOnage; he
is the nero of all authentic action and his
native town OF Castauet in Vancluse, is
about TO erect to his memory statue.
Euenne was inactive, as were his Com
rate>. his attentfon was Caliru 20 d ueIse
mass OF smoke rising above a group of
houses. Tie idea came 10 INN that this in
dicated the Bridge of Arcuie as the scene
OF action. After moment ?. reelection he
said to his sergeant: 1t is necessary to
pass TO the other side"
Don't you know that you would be
drowned If You did soe'', replied the SER
geant.
IF know 1 Will he drowned, believe
it all the same.''
Then co. said the sergeant.
But my drum VIII get wet
Put it on my knapsaok,'' said the. ser
geant. and beat IL
So the drum was fastened to the KNAPP
Andre followed, beating II as though q
whole regiment was behind him, whereas
but few grenadiers had allied to his call,
and waded or swan to the opposite bank.
Theenemy, surprised and believing a whole
corps advancing, abandoned the cannons
which had Not ceased to sweep the bridge,
from which Napoleon. flag in hand, had
just before been driven back into Quag-
niirf. and from which igEoble position his
grenadiers now rescued him, and, fired by
his undaunted courage. the gallant lines
were formed once more.
LAT the same moment" continuing to
quote from the Historian, another French
corps passed over, lower down by the
ferry The recognition which Andres
brave deed received at the time was pair
OF golden drum sticks.
In 1903, when Bonaparte was once re-
viewing the COnsuIs Guard, in which An
Dire had then entered, whether owing to
his brave deed is question on which his
tory is silent, he stopped before the lit
tie drummer, who was using so vigorously
his golden sticks, and demanded or HIM on
what field Of battle he had gained this
recognition. The drummer recounted to
bim his story. lit is not enough, my brave
boy replied Napoleon, and detachIng the
cross from his own coat he fastened it on
the breast of the drummer.
Etenne remained drummer TO the end
of his life. and in 1880 entered the Tenth
Legion of the National Guard. where he
remained until his death, in 1885. His
act OF beroism at the bridge OF Arcole was
an army classic, and at their banquets
his story was often told. In 1881 the
grand officers of the garrison of Paris were
reunited at the Cafe Foy, in the Phlais
Royal, under the presidency OF Gen La
marck- Mercier, his colonel. invited this
evening Andre to come with his drum and
famous drumsticks. At dessert he was
asked to tell his story, which he did with
great modesty, and actually swooned when
the officers present eulogized him, recall
Ing also his heroic conduct ut Marengo.
The story of his death S almost fabulous
According to Mistral, it followed visit
he had made tn the Pantheon. Among the
heroes sculptured on the pediment he
figured. beating his drum-Andre himself
the little drummer. Look, father" said
to him his daughter, who accompanied him.
pointing to the figure. The father looked.
murn,Iuug, lit is l, So high" and fell
down dead