The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-01
NAPOLEOY.s OLD SOLDIER DEAD.
Major August Ruiimnn, who Followed him
from UIu, to Waterloo.

Major August Rullman, one Of the old
soldiers OF Napoleon l.. whom he followed
through all his European campaigns subse
uuent to 1905. beginning at Ulm and ending at
Waterloo. died in Newark on Sunday. in his 9th
year Major Rullman. who was born at Erfurt
in 1881. came to this country in 1884 His son.
Frederick Huffman. keeps the theatre ticket
Office at III Broadway. Major Rullman re-
ceivcd military education and began active
service in the Chdsseurs d Cherdl In 1905. The
story OF his military life is like romance Few
men have fought In so many battles ns he and
survived. Ho was at Austcrltz. Auorstadt.
Jena. and Erfurt He went saic through the
awful slaughter Mt Eylnu. He fought at Fried
land. Somoserra. Rntisbon. Essling. Aspern.
and wagram. He followed the great Emperor.
whom he almost idozed. in the terrible nva-
sion Of Russia and wns decorated with the
cross Of the Legion Of Honor for his bravery In
cap,uring n Russian cannon and howitzer in
the fight at Witepski. He WINS in oil the hard
fought hnttes that opened the way 70 Moscow.
and he suffered the ngonics Of cold. hunger.
fatigue. and desperation that beset tho French
army in its famous retreat He escnpedthrOugh
the horrors OF the passage of the Brrccina. and
again followed his Emperor in the terrible cam
on the rcturn Of Napoleon from Elha Major
Rullman was on" OF tho 1lrst tO enroll himself
in the army that the Emperor collected with
such marvellous rapdity Tor his last campaign.
lie shared in the glory ~ Napoloon's last vicio-
rics at Chartered. and QuGre Bras, and fought
on the field Of Waterloo. That ended his mill
tary career. Whom Napoleon abdicatcd. Major
Huffman retired TO civil life in Germany. Moth
ing. he snid could persuade him TO serve under
In ali these years Of lighting. Major Rullman
suffered only foul. wounds Of any consequence.
On the Island OF IObau. where he was " ;h the
uart Of the French army that wis cut off for a
time 10y the destruction Of bridge, he was
wounded in the head hy an explosion, and was
lft a lpISp III Baron
Von knurr. in the captured city oi Vienna. until
he recovcred lie received shhrr cut IN tho
hand at Ostronova was stabbed with lance ut
Wldcspi. and was sho, In the right leg in the
fight near Moutmartrc.
Major Rullman WIS fond OF telling the story ~
his battles. Hie pictured viyidly the struggle ut
Lobau and dos ribbed with what enthusiasm
| the soldiers imprisoned on the island saw Ma
| poleon in the thrOuE Of workers on the opposite
| shore. wClinE IN the river and helping with his
| own hands to reconstruct the bridge upon
which their safety depended. MAJOR Rullman 4
| River Bcrrsina on the retreat from Moscow
seemed almost incredible. He succeeded. in
and then. hurried res istlessy on bv III" pressure
| II the eager thousands behind. he and hls horse
| were pushed over the ice-whll into the freraing
water. The river was choked with drowning
| men and horses and Jagged pieces Of floating
| ir". II was battle for ~" not oniS
| with the water. hut with hundreds o
struggling men who were madiy clutchinl
| every object that might save them. Major ltull'
mans strong horse bore him safely through
| urd from four 10 six iert high with broken lrr
! rendered more slippery by the passage ot DRIFT
| ing thousands. Over this barrier his hors,
could not nlimh. Al every attempt he fell bach
| into the ice-cod water. Then Major Rumar
bethouGht him of n small trunk that was strap
ped 10 his saddle. and which contained
| quantity OF rich woman ; apparel. He obtained
Il footing for his horse. and wrapped some o.
IN, So garments around the horses feet. Thi,
enabled the animal 10 Chamber over the icy
barrier. carrying his rider safely 20 firm land
OF this terrible passage Major huffman used L
say. There j. no pen. pencil language. or ami
mode Of explanation that can describe II; A
| wilma. where he arrived in pitubc plight
MAJOR Rullman was kindly treated by two Polisi
| Jews. who furnished him with food and cloth
ing. aud who aftcrward. when news was re
! him in n sleigh and drove all night. never leav
! ing him until they had placed him In safety
4 across the Niemrn. MAJOR Rullman alway,
! spok. ot these generous strangers with th,
! most nffretionatc regard.
/ Major Huffman always retained his love anC
reverence for tho great Captain. in following
/ whose fortunes he hud suffered 80 much. Hi,
/ eye would HIGHT with It's od IRE when hc dwel
/ helped 20 win. and on the power aud spl"naol
| Of Napoieon's empire. Howouid never suiiei
! detractiOn - his hpro- fame or character. an,
] ," became eloquent IN his denunclaiions a.
/ Engiand's trcacherous treatment ot tho van
! luished fooman who yoluntarily placed himsel
! I'M her hands. For Sir Hudson Lowe Napo
/ Icons lailer at ST. Helena. MAJOR huffman eN
pressed "A lasting hatred and contempt.