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

THE DEAD HERO OF SEDAN.


A sketch Of His Brilliant Military Career
-AIEeria, the MaiakoG, Magenta, Woerth,
and sedan.
wherever heroic, unquestioning devotion, bold
and fearless daring, and consummate mastery OF the
art OF war are held in esteem, the positive an
nouncement OF Marshal MacMahOn's death from
wounds sustained upon the disastrous field OF Sedan
win be received with unfeigned regret. He was a
true soldier who did his whole duty as best he could
and, although he pershed In defense of what the
verdict OF history will pronounce an unrighteous
cause, he died rather as a Frenchman defending the
soil of France than hireling upholding despots
throne II later advces should assure the world that
he is st living, the announcement will be received
with Joy by those who have given all their sympa-
thes 10 the cause OF Prussia. The following sketch
of his career will be read with interest in either
event, 1t Is more elaborate than any which have
heretofore appeared In this country.
Marie Edme Patrick Maurice, Count de Mac
Mahon Duke de Magenta, was born on the 18Th OF
June, 1905, in the Chateau de Sully, Depart
ment OF Saone-etLolre. He traced his descent
from an iustrious Irish family OF royal ancestry,
which had risked and lost all for the last OF the
Stuart kings, and then carried to France their
tona traditions, ancestral pride, and historic name
TO minge their blood by marriage with that OF the
nobility OF their adopted country. His father had
been soldier before him, and had risen to the high
rank OF lieutenant-genera in the armies OF France
After the usual preliminary education, he entered
ber 1925, where he remained until the 1st of Octo-
ber 1897, when, having attained the grade of sub
lieutenant he left for the school dappicatjon detat
major
Attached to the 4th Hussars on the 1st OF January
$780, then to the goth Regiment of Infantry OF the
Line on the I'd OF April following, he took part in
the Algerian expedition, and was made orderly
officer on the 10th OF October to General Achard, In
which capacity he followed the first expedition to
Medeah, where he distinguished himself highly by
his brilliant achievements at the battle OF Teniaf.
Here, by happy chance, he was first on the field,
having rushed forward at the passage of the
Atlas TO point out the route. An Incl
dent which occurred after the battle had
closed displayed TO full advantage the
intrepidity OF his character General Achard wished
TO send an order to Colonel Ruheres at Blidah, be-
tween three and four miles or TO change the order
OF his march. This commission he entrusted to
MacMahon, and offered him squadron OF mounted
ehasseurs as an escort He declined their protec-
ton and rode on alone. His journey lay entirely
through the enemy's country, which was rugged and
irregular. About 600 yards from Blidah lay ravne,
broad deep, and precipitous. MacMAhon had ridden
close TO the ravine when suddenly he beheld host
OF Arabs In full pursuit OF him from every side. One
lock told him his chances. There was no alterna-
tive than 70 jump the treacherous abyss or be
butchered by his pursuers He set his horses head
at the leap put spur and whip to It, and cleared the
rsyine at bound. The pursuing Arabs, dismayed,
ventured 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.
Elevated 10 the grade Of lieutenant on the 9Oth OF
April, 1881, he made knight OF the Legion OF Honor
the 18th OF September, scarcely four years after
he had left kt. Cyr. Returned 70 France, he was
successfully appointed 10 the posts OF aidemajor TO
the sth Curassers (9oth September 1881, aide-de-
camp 70 General AehaFd uSth January, 1882, when
he assisted 81 the siege OF Antwerp; aide major
once again TO the sth Curassers Q5th March,
1885, and finally that OF captain on the goth OF
September OF the same year. Having served as
aide-decamp 70 General Bellair, and as attaehe to
the etat-maJ0r OF the camp at Comp'egne during
1885, he retarned 20 Algeria In the quality OF aide
de-camp 20 General Bro, and afterwards, In 1887,
was called on 10 nl the same post under the Count
de DamremonL
On the 18th OF July, 1897 he was appointed aidede
| camp 70 General Changarnler, then In command In
Algeria. and from that time until 1885 he did not
leave Africa Promoted 10 the rank OF major in the
Infantry Chasseurs on the 9sth Of octo
ber, is40 he was soon called on by
the Duke OF Orleans the eldest son OF Louis Phi
Ippe. who greatly admired his marital qualities, u
take the command Of battalion of ehasseuFs pied
The young commander made himself soon the OBJ
ject OF general admiration, for az the head OF hii
chasseurs he inyinoibe. aud his conduct at th'
battle OF the Bots des Oniyiers 2lst May 1st0) wa
| the subject OF unanimous encomium. In lsfs he
was made lieutenant-oolonel OF the Foreign Legion
In lsl5 colonel OF the 4ist Regiment OF the Line an'
in ls4s was promoted 10 the rank OF a general o
| brigade.
When IN 1854 he Was called 70 the command OF tn
province OF Constantine, ne knew how 70 restrai
the impetuous Arabs whilst at the same time IA
| gave a lively impulse TO the colonization Of th
province. Named general OF division u6th July
1e52.l he was called In 1853 70 the command OF IN
list corps darmee Of the North, aud In the same yea
he replaced General Csnro6ert In his command e
the Sd division OF the "a corps 0f the Eastern ARM
then engaged in the Crimea. In the siege OF Sebai
top9l.
he was 20 ne se1 Of war direct fror
] France 70 ume this command; and whe