The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-06
ny n1cnAnp sp1LLANE.

NY RICHARD sp1LLANE.
Into the history OF every nation there
Is woven tho story OF some one soldier
of low rank whose valor and whose pa
triotism have thrilled tho gouls OF men.
France. with It's glorious Latour. url-
doubtedly leads tho world. a hundred
poets have sung and MS many biogra-
phcrs have written OF his deeds. but
time does not wither nor oft telling
stale tho beauty OF the tale Centuries
hence It's appeal wifi be as strong as 1t
is toe day, for 1t has for it's essence three
clemcnts--lcroism simplicity and love
OF country-without which life would
be barren and governments could not
endure
generous. kindly spirit was 1iatour
d'Auvcrgnc. The blood of one Of the
greatest mobiles OF France flowed in his
veins but never did he show envy or
malice because tho bar sinister robbed
him Of tito or empty honors. or q
warrior race, he proved himself the
warrior supreme. He was nearly fifty
years old when Franco entered upon
that period OF blood and struggle al
most without parallel In tho history of
the world. To him country meant more
than King. In the army OF the Alps.
III the days OF the Directory. he fought
AZ grenadier. Columns might be shat
tered. generals might make mistakes.
but Latour and his grenadiers never
were known to fail. With sword OF
bayonct he led his men. No task was
too desperate, no charge too hazardous
for him. Soon the army rang with
stories OF his bravery. He was tho
first TO enter Chambery. sword In Hand.
In battle he was ali that was gallant.
In victory he was all that was mag
unanimous, tender and humane. He liv-
cd life OF Spartan simplicity. No SOL
der could go hungry while he had
crust OF bread: no wounded enemy ur1-
covered while he had blanket he
could call his OWL Promotion was Of
fcred to him a dozen times, but every
time he declined. Ho would be cap-
tain. nothing more.
Dead on the Field OF Honor.
Ills example was an inspiration to
tho soldiers OF France. Sien craved to
scrve under the banner OF Latour. The
grenadiers developed into the flower OF
the army. When he was Sent to the
Pyrenees he commanded 5000 men. but
Still he woro the uniform OF a captain.
So great dread did the enemy have
OF the hayoncts OF I4atour's Grenadiers
that the corps got the name of the
sinfernal column"
From the army of the Pyrenees Napo-
leon sent him TO the army Of the Rhine,
and. unable to get him to accept re-
gular promotion, gave to@him the title
OF Tho First Grenadier Of France a
wonderful leader he proved himself
time and time again, but at Obe:hau-
zen, In Bavaria, on June 81, 1900, In the
hour OF victory. he was killed. Never
TO simple soldier was shown greater
honor than to Latour dAuvergne. The
whole army OF France nourned for him
three days, and every soldier set aside
one days pay to bug golden urn to
hold his noble heart. His sword was
sent to the Church OF the Invalids to
be treasured as one of the priceless
glories of france. and then. by order
of Napoleon. who knew how to do
things well. there was inaugurated a
custom that continued to the close OF
the empire. AT the muster roll OF his
regiment each morning the name OF
I.atour was called and the Oldest SER
gcant stepped forward and answered: