The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-08


sian stronghold to MacMahon was assigned the
perlous task Of carrying the works OF the Malskon
which formed the key TO the defenses OF Sebastopo
The feat was performed on the Sth OF September.
The impetuous ardor of his troops proved irresstl
BILE. They entered the works and maintained for
hours a desperate conflict with the Russians. Pei
lssier, the Commander Chief, believing that the
fort was mined sent MacMahon orders to retire. ~
iu hold my ground dead alfoe" was his response.
Aud he did hold 1t, in spite OF the infuriated
charges of the bafied Russians, repeated over and
again. For this brilliant action, as we'll as for
the many others which distinguished his military
career, he was decorated with the Grand Cross OF
the Legion of Honor September o. 1856, and pro-
NOTED to the rank of Senator OF France June "a,
1885, the people universally appauding these tokens
of Imperial favor BY the Queen OF Great Britain he
also rewarded in 1856 with the name OF honorary
knight Grand Cross Of the Order of the Bath
After the close of the Crimean struggle, he re-
turned to the scene OF his African exploits being
appointed in 1851 to the command Of an expedi-
tionary corps against the Kabyles, in which
still followed his arms. During the month OF Sep
tember, 1858, MacMahon was named Commander
in-Chief Of tho land and forces In Algeria; but
he did not remain at this post long, his services
were demanded in the Italian campaign.
In the early part OF 1859 he was placed In command
OF the % Corps, which was marched to Italy to the
support OF King Victor Emanuel in his struggle
against Austria The corps left Novara on the morn
ing OF the Sd Of June, directing It's march towards
Turbigo crossed the Tessino and overthrew the
Austrans who occupied the village OF Robecchetto.
On the next day took place the famous battle OF
Magenta, in which engagement MacMahon decided
the victory. With a suddenness which the French
had not anticipated the Austrians the 4th Of
June with force of $50 900 attacked the advanc
ing French at the bridge OF Magenta The choicest
French troops were there, and they met the attack
with unbroken front, and drove back the foe with
loss. But the Austrians, reinforced at every mo-
dau naA to ho fha wiz Mo- NTahn
with the force under his command had early in the
day crossed the river further up to execute a flank
movement. He heard the booming OF the guns, and
in moment realized the situation. Hastily revers-
ing his orders he advanced against the enemy.
The movement proved decisive. The
AIstrians were utterly routed and
fed in disorder leaving 1000 prisoners In the hands
i of the victors and 1900 soldiers killed and
wounded on the field OF battle. He was named on
the field Marshal OF France and Duke de Magenta,
| as a recognition OF his services, and went from
victory to victory, contributing greatly to that Of
! Solferino and covering the heights from Monte
! Medolano 70 Cavriana, heights heretofore deemed
| inaccessible, with his troops
When the French made their trumphal entry into
Milan, after the battle OF Magenta, pleasing Incl
dent occurred. little child OF six years rendered
MacMahon, as he rode at the front, a bouuuet
The soldier leaned forward from his horse to accept
the Offering and he did he caught the child In
his arms and kissed her. 81 should like to ride with
you, she exclaimed. $50 you shall, my pet" was
MacMahons response; and he placed her in front OF
him on his horse, and thus the two rode together
through the streeCs OF the liberated city to the great
Cathedral to the intense delight OF the enthusiastic
multitude. His reception in Paris after the close OF
| the war, was equally enthusiastic. He fairly
| smothered with bouquets and wreaths.
| In November 1861, MacMahon was sent TO Berlin,
| as Ambassador Extraordinary and special repre-
sentative OF the Emperor OF the French at the coro
i Of n LTfno Of Druc n "a
/ OF September, 1864, he was again sent
| back to Africa, as Governor General OF
Algeria and COMMANDMENT. Chief OF the
/ French forces In that turbulent colony. He
repressed disorder there with an iron hand, but
trbuted far more to the consolidation OF the French
dominion by wise reforms in the civil administration
of the country. His last important act was the sup
preston OF revolt by one of the native tribes, in
1869; and at the outbreak OF the with Prussia
/ he was summoned back to France to take command
OF th LIST corps, TO which he was transferred from
the 3D.
| With the prominent part taken by him in the
| present struggle, the whole world is familiar. He
| was placed by the Emperor in command of the army
OF the Rhine, comprising his corps and those Of
De Failly and Felix D0uay the 9Th and 7th, with his
general headquarters at Suasburg HIS M reputation %
poleon's generals, and France expected him TO
maintain his brilliant and successful re-
were against him. On the attn OF August General
Abel Douays division OF his own corps was defeated
al Weissenburg' on the 9th, came the rOut OF his
entire army at Woerth, followed by his forced aud
disastrous march 10 the west In the face OF the ad
vancing victorious Grown Prince of Prussia; and
ON the LIST Of September, after q protracted and
heroic struggle with army twice the size OF his
own, he was hemmed up in the fortress OF Sedan,
suffering from wounds which devolyed the humilia-
ton OF surrender upon his successor In command
General Wimpffen.
And now the report OF MacMahons death Is con-
| nrmed by the concession OF the Paris Journals The
hero OF Magenta Is dead after career OF unusual
hriancy, which was destined unhapply at It's close
| 10 he oyershadowed by defeat He was never re-
| garded as a favorite with the Emperor and Is said
never 10 have been imperiaiist at heart; but he
| respected the authority OF his superiors as he
| forced his own upon HIS subordinates and upheld
10 the last the tottering throne OF the Bouapartee
with all the power that was placed within his reach
Ths sacrifice OF such man 70 the overweening am
btion OF Louis Napoleon BOnaparte Is a sacrtnce
which France could III a1ord to make.