The New York herald., 1869-04-07

Baron Henri JOn,ini.

Our European exchanges mention the recent
death of this we!l-known general and historian in
the ninety first year Of his age. lie was born in
Switzerland at Payerne, in the canton OF vaud, ON
the 9th OF March, ITO. While a mere youth he
served in of the Swiss regiments attached the
French army, and upon Its disbandment engaged in
trade. at the same time holding the rank Of lieu
tenant colonel in the Swiss militia. Soon after
reaching his twenty fifth year he returned to France
in the military service OF which he entered. obtain
ing the position OF Cherde Battalion, and in 1906
was promoted TO colonelcy. Previous to this how
ever. he had while pursuing commercial operations
given much thought to and carefully studied the
art of The results OF his labors were given to
the pubic in 1905, IN work entitled "rraite des
Crandes Operations Mlitaircs" In 1906 he pub
ished his "Memoire sur les Probabilities dc 10 Guerre
dc Prusse," which 80 pleased Napoleon that, in
sideraton OF it, added to his other services to
baron. Two years later he accompanied Marshal
Neg into Spain but took no part In the stirring
events OF the time. owing to an ill.ieel!ng which
existed between him and the great Frenchman In
1911 he was promoted to The rank OF briga:ier
general. at the same time being made historographer
OF France which ONCE re-estabisned especially
for him. During 1912 the deceased was Governor OF
Wilma and after lost the favor of the Emperor
for Ncy having proposed Brgadier Jornini for pro.
motion TO the grade Of general OF divl5iOl Napoleon
refused TO confer the position upon him. but subse-
quently ordered hun to return 10 France IL not in
he had offended his imperial master. The Baron
never f0rgave what he deemed an insult to his
honor and reelection upon his military skill. Soon
alter the armistce of PleSnltz he left the French
army and entered the service OF the Emperor of
Russia, who appointed him his ad-dc-camp, with the
rank of lieutenant general. Ii is but Justice to
state that accounts differ as to the which ac-
tuated this de5eron OF his colors. lie claimed that
having been dismissed from the French army In
1910 lie had offered his services to Alexander, but
was prevented from serving Russia by NapO.eon,
who offered him brlgadieiship. with an intmati0n
N hlntC fAF nf Wnr fhnr In hnnl,y
offer he would be imprisoned. IL Is certain that he
rendered valuable service to the French army during
the famous retreat from Moscow, participated III
the battle and victory OF Bautzen as chief oil stan
for Marshal Ney. 1t IL more than probable that the
enmity OF Berthisr influenced the refusal to
promote him and the order for his return to
France. But. be that as IL may, he was sentenced
TO death as deserter by French Court Martial,
but. as he was never captured there was no oppor-
tunity OF carrying out the sentence At one time he
was charged with having revealed the plans OF the
French TO the allies bat the accusation was proven
FALSE even Napoleon himself exoneratnx Jonini
from anything like reacheIy. Indeed, the deceased
even declined taxing part in the war against France.
In 1915 Baron JoninI visited Paris with the Czar
OF Russia, while there receiving the Cross OF the
order OF st. Louis from the Bourbon king. He also
made an earnest but vain endeavor to save the life
Of MARSHAL Ney,, From 1919 TO 1924 his revised and
c0mp.cso1 work, ''iiisLoirc Crtique ct Miitaire
des Guerres de Ia Revolution de 1892 to 1SOI,"
appeared In three separate editions. Returning
TO Russia. he served during the war against Turkey
QS2s), and IN 1889 established the Russian Military
Academy at st. Petersburg. subsequently he re.
moved TO Brussels, where he lived until the breaking
out of the Crimean war; when he again returned TO
St. Petersburg. but took no active part in the
test In 1855 Baron Jomini resumed MS residence at
the capital OF Belgium ,, HIS = works a. are INV numerous
theory OF which he was undoubtedly unequa.led. As
a military leader. however. he cannot be said TO
have achieved any considerable success. The art OF
war, as established developed during the past ten
years, was little understood and probably little APP
precated by the deceased, at whose great age 1t
not unnatural that Innovations upon established
rules should be regarded with disiayor