Year: 1875

sOSt Va thc kbTaANcs


Until the year 1914 there was touching
and beautiful custom to be witnessed in a
certain regiment of French Grenadiers,
which was meant to commemorate the
heroism of departed comrade. When the
companies assembled for parade, and the
rolls were called, there was one name to
which its owner could not answer. 1t was
that of La Tour d 'Auvergne When it wa 8
called, the Oldest sergeant stepped pace
forward, and, raising his hand to his cap,
said proudly, "Died on the field of honor. y
For fourteen years this custom was con-
tinued, and only ceased when the restored
B0nrbons, to please their foreign masters,
forbade everything that was calculated TO
preserve the spirit of the soldiers of France


La -Four AuVergne was not unworthy
in life the honor thus paid him after bis
death. lie was educated for the army, en-
tered in 1853, and 1881 served under the
Duke de Crlllion at the seige of Port Ma
hon. lie always served with distinction
but constantly refused promotion saying
that he was Only fit for the command of a
company of grenadiers; but finally, the
various grtnadier companies being united,
he found himself in command of body Of
5000 men, while retaining only the rank
of captain. But it is no particular exploit
of his, more than of his career in general,
that wish to write.


When he was over forty years DID, he
went on a visit to friend not far from :.
section of country that was soon to become
the scene Of bloody campaign. While
there, he was busy aoquainting himself
with the features of the country, thinking
it not unlikely that this knowledge might
be of use to him sonoe day and while there
the brave grenadier was astonished to learn
that the war had rapidly been shifted to
this quarter, and that a regiment eff Aus
trianS were pushing on to occnpy narrow
passaee about ten miles from where he was
dbu Tue pOSSoSSlOu vi WulCIl WOuIU
give them an opportunity to prevent an i'm
portan. movement of the French which was
then on foot. They hoped to surprise this
post, and were moving so rapidly on it that
they were net more than two hours distant
from the place where he was staying, and
which they would have 10 pass in theil
march.


It matters not how he heard the news
1t is sufficient to say that he determined a
once to act upon it. He had no idea o
being captured By the enemy on their pass
He knew that the pass wac defended by
stout tower and garrison of thirty men
and he hoped to be able to warn the men
of their danger. He FASTENED on, and, ar
irving there, found the TO Fer in perfect con
dition. It had iust been vacated by tn
garrison, who heard Of the approach of tb
Austrians, and had been seized by pan
thereat, and had fed, leaving even thei
arms, cosisting of thirty excellent mus
fets. r


La Tour d d'Auvergne gnashed his teetl
with rage as he discovered this. SearchiD,
in the building, he found several boxes c
ammunition which the towards had no
/ destroyed. For moment he was in des
pair, and then, with grim smile, ne bega


to fasten the main door, and pile agains
it such articlel as he could find. When b
had done this lie loaded all the guns b
could ind, ana placed them, together wit


a good supply of ammunition, near th
toopholes that commanded the road b


which the enemy must advance. Then b
ate heartily of the provisions he lad brongt


with him, and sat down to wait. He ha
absolutely formed the heroic resolution t


defend the tower alone against the enem,
I There were some things in bis favor i


such az undertaking. The pass was stee


and narrow, and the enemy's troops coul
!, enter it only in double files, and in doin


this would be fully exposed to the fire fro,