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The Grave in Blocking fortress Kozmac “In the year 1869, the artillery FirstLieutenant Josef März was the commander of the Fort Kosmač, whose infantry was commanded by the lieutenant and the artillery detachment commanded by a Feuerwerker (equivalent to Master-Sargent, the firing and ammunition specialist). In spite of the uncertain conditions, the infantry lieutenant13 could not be dissuaded from often leaving the fort alone, either because of the hunting passion, or because the repeated secret meetings with a girl from the village he tried to hide. So, he left the fort again on a November afternoon, although FirstLieutenant März advised him against it. When dawn came and he had not returned, First-Lieutenant März began to worry and finally, as there was still no sign of the lieutenant for a long time, could no longer hold back his fear and concern for his comrade. He hurried to the gate, had the guard open it, and crossed the ditch on a plank to look outside for his comrade. But he had barely reached the edge of the ditch beyond when a few shots were fired from a close distance and several wild figures broke out of their hiding places behind the rocks and rushed towards the gate. FirstLieutenant März had just enough strength to flee back into the fort
and have the gate closed; then he collapsed lifeless. The attackers, who saw that their attack was unsuccessful, quickly retreated from the firing range of the guards into the darkness. The poor First-Lieutenant was brought to his room in a dying state. The fort now had only the Feuerwerker as the commander. He, an energetic, coldblooded person, made himself and the crew clear of the situation and carefully made every effort to withstand a night attack. But the night was calm, although the insurgents sneaked around and watched the fort. The next morning, however, a group of insurgents, waving a white flag, showed themselves within walking distance of the fort and brought with them the lieutenant who had been missing since the previous day. Their leader, which the crew recognized as the leader of the congregation in Braic, was now asking the commander to hand over the fort in exchange of lieutenant’s release, and the crew would be given a free passage. The good Feuerwerker, mindful of his duty, did not start any negotiations, but chased the insurgents away with a few rifle shots. They dragged their prisoner away with them. Prepared to be attacked by them, especially during the dark, and in those places