The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-15
EIGHTY YEARS A SOLDIER.

The Oldest Commissioned Officer In the World
Eighty Years In the Prussfan Army-The
EmperOr's Congratulations.
On the 10Th OF August last Marshal
Won Wrangel celebrated the eightieth
anniversary OF tine day on which ne re.
ceiVed his first commits sion in the Prus-
sian army. In 1896 Frederic William l
was King, his famous uncle mad been
dead DuJ ten years, Gen. Bonaparte had
just achieved European fame by his first
Italian campaign, and Washington was
President OF The United States, Jel q
was still ten years of, and Wate il o
nineteen. In the interval Il assia Wity
to be reduced TO third-rate State, her
Army limited to forty-two thousand nj n
and the French Emperor was to tai g
away the sword OF Frederick the Gre t
''lrom the keeping OF nation unworthy
to retain it," These gloomy days passl d
away; but Wrangel was to live INTO al =
other age OF LrOuDles-to see Pfusslan
revolution, Frederic William Nv refus-
ing the imperial crown of Germany, and
new French Empire menaclng the
unity OF the fatherland. Finally he has
| we'd to hear Of the wonderful events II
1901. The life Of the veteran has eX-
tended over more than half the duration
of the Prussian monarchy, Which is not
/ vet one hundred ana seventy SIX years
old. In his early youth he might have
conversed with u survivor OF the wars
of MARLBOROUGH, and even listened to
nee d tes by an eyewitness OF Freder-
lex rs coronation.
Tne Emperor OF Germany has written
he following cOngratulatory letter to
The Marshal:
MY DEAR FIELD MARSHAL GENERAL
rhe ANNIVERSARIES Of our Lusy ile snow
year by year how favored it has been by
Providence. The tifLieth anniversary,
which is generally the last stage in
military career, is already thirty years
behind you, and during these thirty
wears you have done such great service
and accomplished such great deeds,
hat in your case the tiftieth anniversary
was only the prelude to the second part
of your glorious services. H. is to-day
eighty years since you first wore the
honorable uniform OF the soldier, ana
you must !eel deeply III wed when you
retecy upon the Iayor at an Omnipo-
cent Providence has deemed you more
thai any ore els3 worthy t receive.
For IL Is to God alone tudL We owe the
happiness OF being able to celebrate this
your eightieth anniversary. L speak moi
only on my own behalf, but as the heir
or tnlee hlnSs, Wuen. Iuanh you lot
having SO well kept the oath of fidelity
which YOU swore TO them and to me, ana
) our name will ever retain an honorable
place III The history OF the Prussian
Army. | desire to assure you, III ali
sincerity, tt at l look up n you as one
OF Inc most eIninenU men hat the Prus-
sian Army has produced; and L Will ada
chat the m )st remote poSterity may
recollecJ YOUR services I'd my graft
Cude. In recollection OF This day, L SEND
you ne accompanying sword, the arm
with when after Etoges, at the head OF
your present regiment, you pursued the
enemy, and which has invariably shown
the path TO victory to the troops which
you have commanded. What tue statue
will testify to the world at large this
: word will tell to your own p ,sterity;
it viii testify to the gratitude and Sill
cere esteem of your devoted and CRATE
lul soNer ,igu, WILLIAM.