ASSAS

From Agepedia

ASSAS (Nicholas), chevalier d', was born at Vigan. He was commander of a French regiment at Auvergne, and, by his patriotic death, made himself worthy of the admiration of posterity. On the night of the 15th of October, 1760, he commanded an outpost at Klosterkamp, in the neighborhood of Gueldres, and, at break of day, went out to examine the posts. On this expedition, he fell in with a division of the enemy's troops, who were on the point of assaulting the French army. He was seized, and threatened with immediate death if he uttered a ciy to alarm his regiment. The safety of the French forces was at stake. Without a moment's hesitation, he summoned all his strength, and exclaimed, " Onward, Auvergne! here is the enemy !" The threat was immediately executed, but the patriot had gained his object; the attack was unsuccessful. Assas was never married; but a pension of 1000 livres was decreed to his family forever: the payment was interrupted during the revolution, but has since been renewed.