Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1879-09-06
THE OLD SOLDIERS HISTORY.

In an account Of the Aged Mems
Home in Baltimore, the Baltimore
American gives this sketch Of onc
Of its inmates
The door Of the room at the end
Of the corridor was opened, and
inside was the most illustrious OF
the inmates of the home4 Col. Jno.
Frederick Won Wcrder, who is
now just 80 years 7 months and II
days old. Col. Won Werder has
had a remarkable history, but he
looks as hale and hearty as tho
youngest man in the home. He is
about ave Icct Six i1cIcs ia height.
rat;.er stout with pleasant face.
His head is nearly bald, but what,
remains Of his harris as white as
the driven snow. His long beard
is also excecdingl ywhite. His teeth
are good for man lacking but FIVE
months of 100 years of age. while
lis hearing is excellent the only
failing is that his eyes are giving
out. He walks about with a cane,
and enjoys life as best. he can. He
spoke Of his late travels in the East
Japan, China, East Indies and
other places-and said i: Il have
travelled much on four legs,' mean
ing that be had ridden a great
deal. I have gone millions Of
miles-millions,' he continued, and
whom questioned as to his life he
gave the following abstract : Il
was born on the 1st of January,
1850, in East Prussia, about ten
miles from the city of Berlin. A
strong inclination for military
life led me 10 enter the Prussian
army in the year 1896 as an ensign.
In the year 1900 I was promoted
to lieutenancy, and in 1906, when
the war betw cen France and Prus-
sia broke out, was advanced to the
rank of captain. In the great bat
tics Of jena and Anerstadt, so dis,
as trous to Prussia, l was made q
! prisoner o. var by tho French
Bcwitchcd by the brilliant general
ship Of Napoleon I, I entered the
French service as captain in the
cavalry. It was in the years 1907
and that I fought in Spain, and
while in Grenada, in 1903, married
Sencrita Mariana Gracia Valas-
duez, daughter Of alfonso Mcri]lo
Valasquez, a graudee Of the king
dom.
Early in 1909 l was promoted
to q coloneIcy and ordered back to
Germany to command a regiment
during tho campaign against Aus
tria. I was in the great battles Of
Aspern, Eschlingen, Wagram, and
many other engagements of less i'm
portance. After the battle Of Wa
cram I was made first aid camp
to Gen. Murat, Napoleon's BROTH
erin -alw, who was alterward King
of Naples and commander in chief
Of the French artillery. J. attended
;he wedding Of Napoleon to Maria
| Louisa, daughter Of the Emperor
| Francis Of Austria, 1910. 1t was
late in 1911 when | vas ordered to
join tie grand ermy Of invasion
into Russia, which started in the
spring Of 1912. On account Of
Muras being ordered to Italy !
was appointed first aid-de- camp to
Marshal Ncy, who was Napolcon's
'right-hand man during that cam
paign. I took part in the fight on
the banks of Moskwa, which open
cd the gates Of Moscow, the ancient
capital of the empire. 1 entered
the city with Napoleon in all his
glory, and was quartered with his
staff in the ancient castle Of the
Kremlin uotil the city was set on
fire and almost annihilatcd hy the
Russians themselves. Then COM
n,nnona tho tnrrihln q rnfrnnt th rnurh