The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-06-27
TODAY IN, HISTORY
"Thc First erenadTer Of France"
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1910.

"Thc First GrenadTer Of France"
Today is the date OF the tragic death
OF Latour DAuvergne, the French SOL
der OF fortune and hero Of the French
Revolution. He was killed on June 81.
1900, at Oberhausen. near Neuberg in
Bavaria, just as the moment OF victory
had come 20 the French arms. Never
to simple soldier was shown greater
honor than to Latour D'Auvergne. The
whole army OF France mourned for him
for three days, and every soldier set
aside one days pay to buy a golden urn
TO hold his noble heart
His sword was sent TO the Church OF
the lnvalides, to be treasured as one of
the priceless glories OF France. and then.
by order OF Napoleon, who knew how TO
do things we'll. there was inaugurated a
OF the empire. As the muster roll OF his
regiment was called each morning, the
name OF Latour was added. the oldest
sergeant stepping forward and answering
Mort au champ d'honeur' on
the field of honor
Into the history of every nation there
Is woven the story OF some one soldier
| OF low rank whose valor and whose pa
| triotism have thrilled the souls OF men.
| Franco, with its glorious Latour. up-
| doubtedly leads the world A hundred
ers have written of his deeds, but time
does not uither, nor oft telling stale the
| beauty OF the tale, Centuries hence its
appeal VIII be as strong as 1t Is today,
Tor II has for its essense three elements
heroism, simplicity and love Of country
without which life would be barren and
governments could not endure.
generous, kindly spirit was Lntour
| ID AuVersne. The blood OF one of the
greatest mobiles OF France flowed in his
veins, but never did he show envy or
malice because the bar sinister robbed
him of title or empty honors. or a war
| q fha I6r
| supreme,
He was nearly 90 years cid when
France entered upon that period OF blood
and struggle almost without parallel in
the history Of the world. To him coun-
try meant more than king In the army
OF the Alps, In the days Of the Directory
he fought as grenadier. Columns might
be shattered. generals might make mis-
takes, but Latour and his grenadlers
never were known 10 fail, With sword
or bayonet he led his men, No task was
too desperate. no charge too hazardous
for him.
Soon the army rang with stories oi
the bravery. He was the first TO enter
Chambery. sword In hand. In battle he
| was all that was gallant, In victory he
was all that was nagnanimous. tender
| and humane, He lived a life OF Spartan
| simplicity. No soldier could go hungry
while he had a crust Of bread no wound
ket he could call his own. Promotion
| was offered TO him dozen times, bu
every time he declined, He would be Z
captain, nothing more.
| His example was an inspiration TO the
soldiers OF France. Men craved 10 serv,
under the banner of Latour. The grena
diers developed into the flower of tn,
army; When he was sent to the Pyre
nees he commanded 5000 men, but he still
wore the uniform of a captain. So grea
a dread did the enemy have OF the bayo
nets OF Latours Grenadiers that tn,
corps got the name of the Internal col
umn." From the army of the Pyrenees
| Napoleon sent. him TO the army OF tn.
| Rhine. and, unable to get him TO accep
regular promotion. gave him the title o
"The First Grenadler of France" !
wonderful leader he proved himself tim,