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earth of the Tyrol, in which so many of

rious ancestors repose.

my glo"In this eventful moment, when the ancient prosperity of the Hapsburgs is returning to us, I recall, as Duke Ferdinand did, 933 years ago, the nobles, the prelates, the citizens, and the peasants to the foot of that throne, which to them has always been a place of solace and assistance.

"The dispositions which the present situation of affairs demands, are stated in a public order issued by me. Arms, and the old Tyrolese courage, to gain the restitution of your rights is all you desire, instead of misery and oppression; and your honour as well as your welfare requires it.

"This proclamation will bring back to you the recollection of those days when twelve years ago the enemy under Joubert was by your courage defeated at Spinges, Jenesien, and Botzen, and obliged to fly the country. This moment enables you to play the principal part in the holy cause; and would it be possible, Tyroleans, for you not to wish to do so.

"Tyroleans! I know you; I am no stranger to your vallies or mountains-I am confident that you will realize the hopes of your fathers and our highest expectations.

"ARCHDUKE JOHN."

It would be difficult to describe the impression which this and other proclamations of a similar kind made on the minds of the enthusiastic Tyrolese. Their ardour seemed to redouble, and thousands flocked to the standards of their patriotic chiefs, determined to conquer or to die in the holy cause.

The night* of the 8th of April was fixed for the event on which depended the destiny of the Tyrol. It was a dark gloomy night, but towards morning the weather cleared up, and promised a fine day. Chastelar and Hormayr passed an anxious night in riding through the troops, to give the necessary orders for the intended movements, and to see that every thing was in a state of preparation. The stillness of the night was alone broken by the heavy tread of the advancing troops, the rattling of the ammunition waggons and great guns, and the cheerful voices of the bivouacers.

At three o'clock in the morning the advanced guard, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Goldlin of the chasseurs, was in motion. Chastelar and Hormayr then harangued their followers, and encouraged the ardour and eager

*The signal was given by throwing saw-dust into the Inn, which floated down, and was soon discovered and understood by the peasants.

ness with which they seemed to prepare for their duties; and in a few hours, to the great joy of the Tyrolese, the thunder of distant guns and the tumultuous din of alarm bells resounded through the vallies.

In the mean time, Chastelar with his division advanced up the the Drauthal, and F. M. Jellachich, who was in Salzburg, commanded Lieutenant Colonel Baron Taxis to advance from Oberpinzgau and Zillerthal up the Innthal to Innspruck, with a detachment of chasseurs, and of the Oreilly light horse, in order to join Chastelar over the mountains. At break of day, innumerable fires were discovered on the heights, signals to the people that the work of deliverance was begun-they were in a moment understood, and the whole country was in a state of insurrection from one end to the other.

The Bavarian troops overcome with astonishment at the suddenness of the event, knew not which way to turn: every thing was in a state of hurry and tumult. A column of French troops, three thousand strong, who were on their march from Mantua to Augsburg, were taken by surprise and panic struck, and after a short but determined resistance, were entirely defeated by the peasants, and captured, together with all their colours, eagles and guns.

Hofer and Teimer were in the mean time in the valley of Passeyr. During the night of the 8th of April, the following order was issued by them to be distributed amongst the confede

rates:

PUBLIC ORDER.

"On the 9th of April, General Hiler advanced by forced marches from Salzburg into the Oberinnthal, and F. M. General Chastelar from Carinthia to the Pusterthal. On the 11th or 12th the former will arrive at Innspruck and the latter at Brixen.

The Mulbach Clause will, by order of his Royal Highness the Archduke John, be occupied by the Pusterthal peasants, and the Kuntersweg by the Rittnern, that all those which march out of Botzen and Brixen may be headed, and that we may be possessed of the strongest and most important position before the Bavarians fly from Brixen to Botzen, then nothing will be able to pass. Kolbe, by order of the Archduke, is to command at Kuntersweg and to take care of such prisoners as may fall into his hands, and to protect the persons and papers of those Bavarian officers who have been distinguished for their inveteracy against the Austrian government and the Tyrol, from all injury and

ill treatment; but on no pretence whatever to allow them to proceed from Ritten to Botzen. The pay of the men will be increased as soon as the Archduke John and General Chastelar arrive, and the officers will receive their pay, as well at Kaltern and throughout that district, as at Salurn and Neumarkt. At Kaltern, Joseph Morandel is chosen commander by the Archduke, and has received orders what to do. Count Arzt commands at Nonsburg, and Baron Hormayr is Commissary General.

"Given at Sand, in Passeyr, on the 9th of April, 1809.

"MARTIN TEIMER.

"ANDREW HOFER, Publican."

After the publication of this order, Teimer hastened over the mountains to Oberinnthal, in order to assist the Austrian troops that were entering in that quarter, and to cut off the communications of the Bavarians; and Hofer, with from 4 to 5,000 men, consisting of peasants from the valley of Passeyr, Algund, Meran, &c. who increased in numbers as he went, advanced over the Gaufen to Sterzing, to meet the enemy from Brixen.

The 8th division of the Austrian army, which was to assist the operations of the Tyrolese under