Middletown transcript., 1870-07-30
FRENCH AND pRuss1AN coMMANDrRs

FRENCH AND PRUSSIAN COMMANDERS
The following sketches of the comman-
ders of tue two armies about to engage in
deadly combat, will be read with much
interest:
FRENCH COMMANDERS. OF the French
commanders the most conspicuous are
Marshals McMahon, Canrobert and Ba-
zaine, who will undoubtedly have the
principal commands Marshal McMahon,
descendant from family of Irish mobiles
who lost their all in defence of James IL.
and remained in France after the final
overthrow of the Stuarts, began his mill
tary career during the war with Algiers
in 1880, and particularly distinguished
himself in the assault of Constantine. The
establishment of the empire in France
found him Brigadier General and de-
voted adherent of the Emperor The Cri-
mean war established his reputation as a
soldier. AT the head of the division form
erly commanded by Gen. Canrobert, he
stormed and captured the Malakof-one
of the most brilliant feats in modern war
fare. Following the war with Russia,
came that with Austria in Italy. In the
campaigns of 1859 he again distinguished
himself by the celebrity of his movements
and the skill he displayed in handling his
men. To his ability and dash were due
the great victory of Magenta, and as a re-
ward for his services Napoleon created him
Marshal of France and Duke of Magenta.
There is not in the French army more
dashing officer than Marshal Mcmahon.
A close student of the military maneu-
vres of the first Napoleon, he believes in
sudden and rapid marches upon the enc
my.
Marshal Caurobert is, if anything, bet
ter known as as soldier than Marshal Nc
Mahon. Like the latter, his military ca
reer hegan in Algiers, and he first distin-
guished himself in the assault on Constan-
tine. Subsequently, placed in an indie
pendent command, he defeated the Arabs
in three campaigns, in the last of which
he displayed great military skill in the
disposition of his forces. When Louis
Napoleon was President, General Canro-
bert was one of his aides-de-camp, and
aided in carrying out the coup detat.
Sent to the Crimea in command of the
First division, he participated in the bat
tie of the Alma, where he was wounded
by splinter of shell, which struck him
in the breast and hand. After the resig-
nation of Marshal St. Arnaud, General
Canrobert took command of the Army of
the East, and at the battle of Inkerman
greatly distinguished himself by his per-
sonal valor. He led the famous charge of
the Zouavcs, during which he was slight
ly wounded. Bad health compelled him,
in May, 1855, to return to France, on ar
irving in which country the Emperor
treated him with marked distinction.
During the Franco Italian war of 1859 he
won fresh laurels by his hcroism at Ma
genta, while at Solfcrno his famous
movement in aid of Marshal Neil turned
the scale of victory in favor of the French.
For these services he was made Marshal
of France. General Canrobert is one of
the most heroic men in Europe. In every
engagement in which he has participated
he has, with almost reckless courage, ex-
posed his person to the enemy. AS a
consequence he is immensely popular with
his men.
Marshal Bazaine is well known to the
people of the United States. He first dis
tinguished himself in Africa and subse-
quently served with credit in the Crimea.
During the italian campaign he remained
in France on home duty. In 1862 he
was placed in command of the French ex-
pedition to Mexico, and succeeded Mar
shall Forey in the supreme command. In
the sister republic he greatly distinguished
himself, considering the number of men
at his disposal, and for his services he
was created Marshal of France in 1864.
Marshal Bazaine bears the reputation of
possessing one of the most strategic minds
in the French army.
There are several other French Gener-
ais of established reputation, who will, no
doubt, take active part in the contest.
PRuss1AN COMMANDERS Excepting the
brief revolutionary struggles of 184S, the
first Schleswig- -Holstein, war of the same
year, the second war of 1864, and the
brief but decisive struggle with Austria
in 1866, Prussia has been engaged in no
oro,a5 no1a;oFz s;ooo AZ JonnfolI oc AZ