Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-07-27
LEADING OFFICERS OF TIE
FRENCH ARMY.

earned the reputation OF brave ana
skiIlful soldier. His father was a
LieutenantGeneral in the armies of
France, and had him educated at the
military school Of St. Cyr. At the
age of 10 he was sub Lieutenant in
the 4th Hussars. He exchanged into
regiment bound for Africa, where on
the hill of Monzai, Gen. Glanzel re-
warded him with the Gross Of the Leg
ion of Honor on account of the reck-
less daring he had displayed. An in
cident in the African campaign shows
his intrepid character. At the close
Of the successful battle Of Tarchia,
Gen. Archard wished to send an order
to Col. Rulhieres at Blidah, between
3 and 4 miles off to change the order
Of his march. This commission he en-
trusted to MacMahon, and offered him
a squadron of mounted chasseurs as an
escort. He declined their protection
and rode off alone. His journey lay
entirely through the enemy's country,
which was rugged and irregular.
About 600 yards from Blidah lay ra-
vine, broad, deep, and precipitous, Nc
Mahon had ridden close to the raVine,
when suddenly he beheld host Of
Arabs in full pursuit of him from every
side. One look told him his chances.
There was no alternative but to jump
the treacherous abyss or be butohered
by his pursuers. He set his horses
head at the leap put spur and whip to
it, and cleared the ravine at a bound.
The pursuing Arabs, dismayed, ven
tured no further, and only sent after
the daring soldier shower of bullets
as horse and rider rolled over on the
other side, with the poor steeds leg
broken. At the attack on Constantine
he received further promotion.
He continued connected with Afri-
can warfare and public affairs until the
opening of the Russian war, when
more favorable opportunity to attain
military fame presented itself. On
the 9Th Of September the perilous
honor devolved on him Of carrying
the Malakof, which formed the key of
the defences Of Sabastopol. The i'm
petuous ardor Of his troops proved If
resissible. They entered the works
and maintained for hours desperate
conflict with the Russians. Pellissier,
the Commander in Chief, believed the
fort was mined. lie sent MacMabon
orders to retire. II viii hold, my
ground" was the reply "dead or alive
Success crowned his bravery, and the
tri-color soon foated above the fortress.
After more brilliant services in
Algeria, the Austrian war next called
him to the field. Tn one week from
the commencement Of hostilities, the
French had driven back the Austrians
across the Ticino, turned their flank
and forced them to give battle. With
a suddenness which the French had
not anticipated, the Austrians on the
4th Of June, 1859, with a force of
10000 men, attacked the advancing
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
moment, seemed destined to be the
Yictors. Mac Nahon with the force
under his command had early in the
day crossed the river farther up to
execute flank movement. He heard
the booming of the guns, and in a
moment realized thesituation. Hasti-
~ reversing his orders he advanced
against the enemy. The movement
proved decisive The Austrians were
utterly routed and fed in disorder,
leaving 1000 prisoners in the hands of
the victors, and 10000 soldiers killed
and wounded on the field of battle. In
1861, MacMahon, now Duke Of Ma
genta, attended the coronation of Viii
liam of Prussia, whom now he encount-
ers in deadly warfare In physical ap-
pearance Marshal MacMahon is rather
below the middle size, with small but
weli-shaped face and head, and spare,
lightsome figure. He is now in his
sixty second year.
Marshal Canrobert has been the com
panion in-arns Of MacMahon on many
hard-fought field. At the age Of rs,
he left France for the African cam
paign, and took an active share in some
desperate conflicts. In 1887, he re-
ceived his first wound on the breach at
the assault of Constantine. He fell at
the side Of Col. Combes, who dying,
recommended him to Marshal Vallee,
saying, "There is a brilliant future for
this officer" Until 1849 Canrobert
was engaged in the most desperate en-
gagements of the Algerian campaigns
and on the accession Of Prince Napol-
con to power, he attached himself to
bis fortunes. He commanded the
French forces in the Crimea for some
time, and shared in all the earlier bat
ties fought during the operations
against Sebas.opol. During the Ital-
ian war he displayed great daring at
Magenta, and at Solferino was charged
with duties upon which depended the
issue Of that battle.