Andreas Hofer: An Historical NovelMühlbach, L. (Luise)
History
Andreas Hofer: An Historical Novel
Mühlbach, L. (Luise)
Hofer, Andreas, 1767-1810 -- Fiction; Tyrol (Austria) -- History -- Uprising of 1809 -- Fiction
And this belief enhanced the enthusiasm of the Tyrolese, and with
the most intrepid courage they looked upon the enemy, who had by
this time come close up to the city, and was forming in line of
battle on the plain adjoining the village of Wiltau. From the houses
in the neighborhood of the triumphal arch the Tyrolese were able to
survey the whole position of the enemy; they could discern even the
various uniforms of the French and Bavarian soldiers. Up yonder, on
the roof of a house, stood Speckbacher and Teimer, and with their
eyes, which were as keen and flashing as those of the eagle, they
gazed searchingly upon the position of the enemy and that of their
own forces. The line from the village of Wiltau down to the river
Sill was occupied by the French troops under General Bisson; on the
right side of Wiltau to the Inn stood Lieutenant-Colonel Wreden with
the Bavarians, his front turned toward the city.
"Now we must surround them as in a mouse-trap, and leave them no
outlet for escape," said Major Teimer, with a shrewd wink. "Is not
that your opinion too, Speckbacher?"
"Certainly it is," replied Speckbacher. "Mount Isel yonder, in the
rear of the Bavarians, must be occupied by several thousands of our
best sharpshooters, and a cloud of our peasants must constantly
harass their rear and drive them toward Innspruck. Here we will
receive them in fine style, and chase them until they are all dead
or lay down their arms. The only important thing for us is to cut
off their retreat and keep them between two fires."
"You are right, Speckbacher; you are a skilful soldier, and are
better able to be a general than many an officer--for instance,
General Kinkel. Kinkel is an old woman; he wept and swore in one
breath when I was with him just now; he says all the time that he
will commit suicide, and yet he is not courageous enough to do it,
but preferred to comply with my demands."
"And what were your demands, Teimer?"
"I demanded that he should give me an open letter to General Bisson,
urging him to send some confidential person into the town who might
report the state of affairs, and convince him of the immense
superiority and enthusiasm of the Tyrolese, and of the impossibility
of defeating us or forcing his way through our ranks."
"And did old General Kinkel give you such a letter?"
"He did, and I will send it out now to the French camp. We must make
all necessary dispositions, that when the general sends a
confidential envoy into the town he may become fully alive to the
fact that it is impossible for him to defeat us. Above all things,
we must send several thousand sharp-shooters to Mount Isel and the
adjoining heights, in order to cut off the enemy's retreat."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account