New-York tribune., 1873-05-26
CAREER OF THE NEW FRENCH RULER.
Ills ANCEsTIsY-MIIITARY SERVICES IN AFRICAN AND



EUROPEAN CAMPAIGNS.
The MacMahons are descended from Brian
Boru VINO was King of Ireland in lOl4 and acquired
great renown a the conqueror of the Danes whom
he gained decisive victory at Contarf. petition TO
King Louis is extant wherein Maurice MacMabOn,
Knight of Malta formerly captain OF cavalry in the
regiment Of Fz James, states that be suppcates both
for himself and for the Marquis dEquy and the Bishop
of Kiera his brothers, that he may be permitted to
represent before all the princes that they draw their
paterna origin from the lords OF Condrala in Ireland,
who were descended from the lords and princes OF Clare
who were issue OF the ancient mOnarcbs Of Ireland
Their attachment to the Catholic religion and to their
legitimate prince having deprived them Of their profes
sions and titles they find 1t impossible TO establish their
noble and ancient extraction by literal proofs But they
have proofs and testimonials beyond all Suspicion and
admitted by the tribunals, which establish their
nobility not only from the year l4CO, but
even up 70 Brian Boru, monarch of Ireland,
in the beginning Of the eleventh century, and
that they are of the family as the EaIls OF Tho
mold," whom the King had "honored with his IA
yor" Thls Documents accompanied by other papers
from which il appears that the French MacMahons
descended from the two brothers Maurice and John,
who settled France in the year 1GO the first Of whom
shared the fortunes OF Prince Edward in Scotland,
served in the Spanish army, aud afterward made
CAPTAIN IN the French services the second created
MARQUIS dEquily and admitted 10 the estates OF Bur
gundy. The MaeMahons we're fighting race, and their
names frequently In the French military annals,
sharing in the disasters well the gories which at
tended the French At Waterloo Of them be-
hayed with great gallantry The battle lost, but it
was necessary to make desperate effort cover the
retreat OF the shattered army Charge keep chaygng
boys" said MaeMahOn TO the Third Curassiers MAR
shall" said the Colonel "we cut up 1t is certain
death for TO charge; you know it." Embrace me,
my friend" was MacMahons only reply, and then the
two gallant soldiers led forward the regiment which
made those three terrible charges that recorded
among the great deeds Of the French army Only 100
of it, number remained and Of these all but eight
were wounded.
Marie -Edmonde- -Patice Maurice MacMahon, who has
been elected President Of the French Republic, was
born at Autun, in the department OF SaoneeLeire In
1908 His father held the rank OF leutenantgeneral In
the French Army with the distinction OF Commander OF
the Royal and Military order Of st. LOUIS his uncle was
In the French service, and his brother was
captain but left service in $780, MaoMahOn received
his military education at ST. Cyr end at the age OF 10
was subieutenant Of the lth Hussars, OF which his
brother was then captain He saw active service
Proceeding with the 10th Regiment 20 Africa he engaged
In the Algerian war, and in e year 1880 had the
Cross OF tine Legion Of Honor which he received from
Gen. Cauze on the field OF battle Next year he
appointed lieutenant in the sth Curassers and In 1884,
as aiddeoamp to Gen. Achard shared in the eIpedi-
ton 70 Belgium, and won the Cross OF the Order OF
Leopold by hs bravery at the siege OF Antwerp This
campaign over he returned TO Aes and there acquired
still greater distinction Al the Of successful
battle OF Tercha, IL is related tnat Gen Aeard Wshed
10 send "a message to Count Ruhistos nj BIldah, be-
tween three and four miles on nsrueting him 10 change
the order Of his march. This Message he nrnsted TO
MacmahoD, and az the journey offered to
send a squadron Of mounted chasseurs with hiia De-
clning the Escort, MaeMahon rode on alone aud had
Just snnr"A"hed broad, deep ravne about 500 yards