Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-03-17
TO THE MEMORY
OF
PETER S. NEY.
A French Hero.
Died October IA, 1916.

| n TcuCu nero. ,
Died October IA, 1916. :.
Mr.. Ford was appointed by the County
Court administrator of Ney's estate.
| This was mere matter of form, as he
was possessed of no estate. In ls47 an
unknown Frenchman visited Mr.. Ford
and tried to get possession of the short
hand manuscript referred to above, but
Mr.. Ford refused to give it up. He at.
terward, however, turned it over to a
man who called himself Pliny Myers, y
a member Of the New York Historical
Society, with the understanding that he
Myers would have the documents trans
lated and the mystery enveloped therein
cleared mp. Nothing more has ever
been heard from it. 1t is not the pur-
pose of Your correspondent to discuss
the question which is here raised 1t is
my business to merely give the facts and
let the reader draw his own conclusions;
but l deem it proper to incorporate here
the language and opinions of some of
the persons with whom have talked
on the subject.
Following this was the opinions Of
several pupils Of the old teacher, all of
whom believed that he was the verita-
bic Marshal Ney.
Now it so happened that the writer
had in his possession well-authentica-
ted letter written by Michael Rudolph
to Light Horse" Harry Lee, which he
had obtained from grandnephew of
Major Fighting Jack" This letter, as
the reader will see, is by no means the
least mysterious part Of the history Of
this mysterious man. 1t no doubt re-
fers to the death of Noble Hamm, and is
as follows:
Dear SRI am this moment advised
by Captain McLane of his arrival at
Philadelphia, an event that affords me
no small satisfaction on numberless ac-
counts, particularly as it will furnish
me with an opportunity of conclusively
determining the unfortunate dispute
which is the cause of SO much uneasi-
ness to the gentlemen of the corps and
unhappiness to myself. They will, l
have no doubt, make known very speed
lily their intention and give ample testi-
mony of the party injured, but l am
fully convinced that no proof respecting
themselves can possibly expose me the
aggressor unless they choose, from mo-
tives unknown, to interest themselves
in private controversial affair totally
confined to Captain Armstrong and my
self, to which gentleman my conscience
told ME l had made every reparation
that words were capable of. His repli-
cation, which is to the following effect
could not from any deducible reason,
engage their endeavors to effectuate my
ruin. Captain Armstrong intimated
that the popularity of our situation rem
dered a separation necessary and made,
in some measure, a joint service i'm
practicable. have readily acquiesced
in his determination, being convinced of
the Righteousness Of my crime. Had I |
not exerted every endeavor to palIiate
it, which drew from Mr.. Armstrong
declaration of unwillingness to iniure
me, / beg leave to suggest your previ-
ously consulting this gentleman as
necessary step to your appearance in the
matter, for nothing but the unbiased
advice of a person from whom l must
acknowledge the experience Of every
species of friendship could in any wise
obviate the dictates ofmy opinion which
stimulates me to address personally
grievance Of so gross nature.
Mr.. Handy's combination singularly
affected me. A gentleman with whom
| have lived for series of time in the
closet friendship, to discover at such a
iuncture, his ignorance Of my real prin-
ciple and disposition, independent of
passion and to build his prosecution on
single fault and without any other
assistance to support his conduct, be-
trays such degree of hexibility and
unfriendliness that thought him en-
tlrely Invested of.
| am, sir, with great respect, your
obdt., hbl. servt. Mich. RUDOLPH.
Middle Bush, Goth July, 1880.
Major Lee.
After reading the article in the Her
aid the writer resolved to procure some
specimens of the handwriting of P. S. |
Ney, in order to compare them with the