New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-17
A SOLDIERS HEART.
That of La Tour dAuUergne Placed
Near Napoleon's Tomb.
Paris, April 4.

Paris, April 4.
Ia Tour d'Auvergne?" Dead on the field OF
honor Such were the crisp military words
that responded to the rollcan OF the First Gren-
adler of France last Wednesday in the stone
courtyard of the Invalides. where the heart OF
the hero was deposited with an impressive mill
tary ceremony. in the presence OF President
Loubet attended by General Andre Minister OF
War by the Military Governor of Paris and by
the Grand Chancellor Of the Legion OF Honor
The hero's old regiment. the 46th OF the line
had been brought to Paris for the occasion. and
was formed in a hollow square around the
heart borne in silver urn The garrison OF
Paris was under arms. and II with great
eclat that President Loubet accepted the relic
and caused the imposing military custom insti-
tuted by the Convention to be confirmed and
renewed by the Third Republic. The Minister
Of War read in clear. stirring voice the General
Order OF 26th Messidor. Year XI. to the
bed troops.
The command that the heart OF La Tour a Au-
versne. who was killed by lance thrust OF an
Austrian lancer at The battle OF Oberhausen.
June 81 1900. should be taken from the body
and preserved by the first company>of the 10th
Demi- Brigade now the 10th Regiment OF in
fantry). that the hsro's name should be for
ever kept on the rolls and should be invariably
called out at the rOllcaII. and should be an
swered by the senior sergeant with the words.
Mort au Champ dHonor." was thus incorpo-
rated by the Minister OF War in the orders OF
the day. General Andre. who is attempting the
work OF a Cromwell by making the French
Army out and out republican institution.
without trace Of cast or sectarIanism. took good
care in his address to the army to dwell the
fact that when La Tour d'Auvergne was ap-
preached by the royaIist officers Of his regiment.
who told him that II was henceforth his duty to
leave France with them and serve the King
abroad" he replied: You are traitors If you
persist in sucn proposal BY following your
advice I should periure myself and draw upon
my name the contempt and maIediction OF my
countrymen."
The order of the 26th Messidor was retained
by Napoleon, and the name Of La Tour d'Au-
vergne remained on the roster OF the 10th Regi-
ment during the campaigns OF the empire, and
called out and answered each morning and
evening without break until the Restoration
Louis XVIII. haunted by the ideas Of the revoIu-
ton. caused the heart Of La Tour d'Auvergne TO
be returned to the heros family. The relic
last Wednesday presented by descendant OF
La Tour d'Auvergne to President LOuhet by
Colonel du Pontavice de Heussey. one OF De La
Tour dAuvergne's grandnephews. Colonel du
Pontavice de Heussey. formerly French military
attach6 in London. now commands the 4th Regi-
ment OF Artillery at Grenoble. The colonel is a
ing. He was accompanied on the occasion by
his brother. They came from Grenoble with
the silver urn containing the heart. which was
escorted by brigade of troops from the Lyons
railway station 10 the Invalides. the garrison OF
Paris presenting arms. and crowds OF Parisans
reverentially regarded the relic and stood with
uncovered heads as the cortege passed by.
On cushion near the urn was placed the
warriors sabre and fac-simile of the flag Of the
10th DemI- Brigade, which had been made and
embroidered by the wives and sisters of the ia
nous infantry corps The stretcher was borne
by non-commissioned officers Of the 10th In
fantry. President Loubet. in evening dress and
wearing the grand Gordon of the Legion OF
Honor. stood in the courtyard OF the InvalIdes
beneath the colossal statue Of Napoleon. On
the arrival of the urn the President headed the
troops and all marched slowly through the
Church of the Invalides. walking around the
tomb of Napoleon. which guarded by old
pensioned soldiers in their long. blue historic
surtouts each man carrying lance and pennon.
The organ of the church played a solemn march.
The urn was placed near the tomb of Turenne
Colonel du POntavice de Heussey. addressing
the President. said that in behalf OF his family
ne intrusted the heart OF La Tour d'Auvergne
to the President of the republic. to be given to
the nation. President Loubet replied that no
more appropriate place than the InvaIides could
be found the final resting place for the hero's
heart.
The general commanding called in a stentorian
voice: La Tour d'AuvergneF' The senior non
commissioned officer responded with the historic
words: Dead on the field of honorr' The mill
tary bands played alternately lie Chant du
Depart and La Marseillaise"
Besides the body of Napoleon L. the InvaIides
contains the bodies of Carnot. Turenne and
Vauban and also the hearts OF KIsber and of
Mile. sombreuil who saved her father. gov
ernor of the Invalides. from the mob during the
Reign of Terror Singularly enough. the body OF
La Tour d'Auvergne. with the exception. OF
course, of the heart. lies i'm the Pantheon The
hero's heart is safely and. 1t is hoped.
finally deposited In the Invalides. The cere-