Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-22
A STORY OF THE WAR.
From the New York Times.l

From the New York Times.l
Instances of self-devotion on both
sides will not be lacking to gild the blood
stained record of the present war with
the light of moral heroism, and to make
us remember, that, after all, the days of
chivalry have passed only in name.
There are still people capable of perish
ing for their country. There are Ger
mans and Frenchmen as ready and fit
for noble deeds as were ever the most
glorious heroes that have graced their
respective annals; and even thus early
in the contest, there have reached us
episodes whose relation makes the eye
moisten and the heart swell with sympa-
thy and admiration. Such a one oc-
CURED close by Woerth ON the occasion
of the late sanguinary battle there, and
its incidents were of kind to which
generous foes will be as ready as friends
to offer their tribute of respect and
praise.
Nestled among the Vosges, and close
by Woerth is pretty little town called
Reichshofen, which has (or had) about
three thousand inhabitants. Just out
i oiuC tuC bOWn oluOu lnt CHdltdu, Uilt Ol
the most charming houses of the pro-
vince. A long avenue of shade trees
winds in curves to the mansion, which
was commodious and of considerable
architectural beauty and was celebrated,
among other things, for containing some
very fine pictures. The stables were
sumptuously constructed and well filled
the grounds extensive and the landscape
sloped away in the distance to a noble
range of forest that constituted the chaSSe
of the castle.
In this home of rural peace and beau
ty, loved and esteemed by all around,
dwelt the young Count Paul de Leusse
and his family. The Countess is de-
scribed as having been very lovely, and
was in truth the idol of the neighbor-
hood. De Leusse was a younger son of
the Marquis of the same name. He
went early into the navy, and was deco
rated with the order of the Legion of
Honor, for special act of bravery be-
fore he was nineteen years of age. He
served with distinction in the Crimean
war, and returned in safety to marry
and settle at Reichshofen. Here, with |
his wife's mother his wife, FIVE children,
many servants and an ample fortune, he |
lived until six short weeks ago in enjoy |
ment and security. He was noted for
kindness and benevolence to his infe- |
riors, so that his servants and the peo- |
pie of the surrounding country regarded |
him with universal affection. "A more |
perfect picture writes correspondent,
OF domestic happiness than that ex-
hibited at the chateau of Riechshofen it
would be difficult to find "
De Leusse was public spirited and en-
ergetic, served as Marie of the town, con-
stantly improved both it and his estate,
worked hard himself, and always declared
he would make his'sons work, since this
was an age of progress in which there
should be no drones and, moreover, he
always to have the style of
living kept up at the family seat to which
for generations his ancestors had been
i And here, says the writer we have
already quoted, in the recollection of
any friend that visited the chateau, the
spectacle presented by this scene Of COM
fort, kindness, industry and pleasure
must ever be enlightened and beauti6ed
by the glow. resulting from the remem-
brance of the cordial hospitality of its
gallant master, and the exquisite refine
ment of the ladies who graeed his home y ]
But, alas, the delightful scene was des-
tined to undergo a miserable change! ,
The wal. broke out, and this Eden has l
been swept remorselessly away, and the !
happy spirits that dwelt in it live only in |
rfr-r n..i S
The Count was last year elected
Deputy for the Haut-Rhin He was an
irdent Frenchmen, had been trained in r
he national service, and believed in the {
,ause Of his country, right or wrong. G
When hostilities began be thought only (
If the glory of his country, and when (
he German armies set foot on her soil, I
le burned with patriotic fury to expel !
hem. He did not join the French Q
lrmy There was no need, since his
lonie and all he held dear we're directly u
n the way of impending conflict. A
esOlute and high-spirited man, he de- p
ermiBed, on the German advance, to d
lefend his chateau, il attacked. to the Il
asst. The determination was perhaps h
lnixotic and unnecessary; it was GER f
ainly chivalrous and patriotic. A few
words only are needed to tell the result.
De Leusse died, fighting CALAMITY in F
Isfense of his house, on the afternoon Of
he battle Of Wperth. Many of his ser O
ants died With HIM, and, piteous to re- N
ate, bis fair, young wife ptrished Ike s.
rise by his side The bolt had indeed p
lasted both Z
The grantees hrmnOss and the lily's 81
Z growth" W
nd the wind whistles through TIM black d
ned and ruined walls of this once bliss rl
al and now desolate home, as if in m
iockery of all human hopes Of perma- il
ent earthly happiness. 1t is idle to g
reach homilies about the horrors OF Lei
-ar in the presence of such woeful tale n
S this. It's own simple eloquenee can al
ot be enhanced, aud Language, however g
pity chosen, cannot highten its pathos. tC
Iut there arc uses in such narratives f.
espite their horror-uses, too, beyond ?
he exempli6cation Of Splendid heroism. u
'or it is impossible to read of such dire Il
Il calamities without execrating the re- q
ponsible authors Of war, and yearning II
Dr the time when it will be beyond the
nwQr NJ iudividuale 20 STIR nm these | -