The 14th of October came—a day of heroes. That day the redoubts were to be stormed.
Lafayette prepared his own men for the assault.
Then Baron de Viomenil led out the heroes of Gatinais.
Before this regiment De Rochambeau appeared to give them their orders, which meant death. He had won, as we have said, his own fame in Europe with these mountain heroes. The attack to which he was to order them now was to be made at night.
“My lads,” said he, “I have need of you this night, and I hope that you will not forget that we have served together in that brave regiment of Auvergne sans tache.”
A cheer went up in memory of old, followed by:
“Restore to us our name of ‘Auvergne sans tache’ and we will die.”
“That name shall be restored,” said Rochambeau.
They marched to death side by side with the bold regiment of Lafayette, who was to lead the advance.
About eight o’clock the signal rockets for the attack reddened the sky.