Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-01-09

history remembers with feelings 1T adj
miralion the gallant conduct OF Nev at
the battle of Borodino; how he was
told 10 guard the rear while the army
crossed the Moskya. and how he was
the last man 10 leave Russian soil.
Although be was shot as a traitor after
the defeat at Waterloo, New won for
hinself the title 1.-The bravest of The
brave" conferred upon him by Napo-
leon, and there is no one but who would
be proud 10 claim hlm for country
man.
While Ney's biographers have re.
counted in glowing language his deeds
of daring on the battlefield, they pay
but little attention to bis birth and early
history, OF which very little is APP
parently known. French writers say
he was born at Sarlouis, France, but
give no details, showing that they do
NOT know very much about 1t. A
Leader reporter Jew days since gained
possession Of Information which not
only goes to show that there is some
probability that he was an American,
but that he was possibly great-upcle
of Mrs. Garfield, the wife of the late
President Garfield. Some time prior
10, and during the War CT the Revolu
ton, there lived in the beautiful Sben-
audoah Valley of Virginia family
by The name of Rudolph. In this
family were several brothers, one OF
whom was the father Uf Mr.. Z. Ru-
dolph, of Mentor, the father OF Mrs.
Garfield. Another brother named
Michael, during the war OF the Reyo-
luton, lett bis young wife al home and
Joined the Colonial army. Of more
Than average ability, it is said, he soou
became an officer and rose to cOnsider-
able prominence. When the war was
almost over and he was thin king OF re-
tuning 10 bis home, he received The
intelligence that his vile had proved
uufailhiul, Maddened by this ini0rm
liou lie al once leit The army AID gull
the COUNTRY, and Was never heard from
thereafter. Some eight or len years
later Michael Ney, serving in regi-
mint OF Fret eli hussers, was promoted
10 Sub.Lieulensut. His brilliant mill
lary achievements won Tor him favor
iu The eyes o. his tUperiUrs, aud In NV
lie was made Brigadier-Gene raj Ill
The Army OF the Rune. Two Years
later be Was made a General Of Divi-
SION Of England, ard tie following
year was made Field-Marshal of the
Amy. In 1905 he Was conspicuous
for bis bravery, and was made Duke OF
Elchingen. In 1912 be again assumed
an active position in the army, and
fought bravely duing the Russian
campaign, winning fresh laurels. The
tide then turning. Napoleon, no longer
victorious, was deposed, and Louis
XVIII, the Bourbon King, assumed
The reins Of Government. Ney was
created Peer of France, and placed in
command of nearly the entire cavaly
force. When Napoleon returned from
Elba il 1915 NeI again espoused his
cause. and followed him 10 the Geld OF
Waterloo, whore be fought with his &C.
customed bravery. Defeat came,
and Ney was condemned to death. III
the GardeH OF The Luxembourg be was
slot. bis body being riddled with bull
let's, and monument now marks the
spot where the hero fell.
Shortly after Ney's execution there
appeared in Baltimore a Frenchman
who made inquiries after the Rudolph
family, stating that among the dead
soldiers private effects there had been
found short autobiography, ia which
he ssid that he was not Frenchnan,
as had been supposed, but an American
He said that his name was Michael
Rudolph, and that he was born 10
Maryland. After leaving this country
because of his wife's inddelily, he wen I
to Ireland. Remaining there but short
time be went TO France. Quickly learn
ing the French language, he sank bis
individuality. and forgot his sorrow liz
the great French army by enlistlng TN.
der the name of Michel Ney, which he
retained 10 the day OF bis death. His
wife'S conduct may have induced him
10 change his name, but he may have
had other reasons. 1t is known that
he married again ia France, but very
little is said of his family relations E.
About thirty-6ve years ago this story
was revived and published in many of
the papers Of this country. Nothing
but the claim that Ney was an Ameri.
can was made prominent, however.
A Leader reporter becoming possess L.
ed of the above Information yesterday
called upon Mr.. 2. Rudolph, Mrs. Gar
FIELDS father, at Mentor. The old gen.
tlemau, after hearing The story, said
Yes, had an uncle named Michael
Rudolph, and he left the country in the
manner stated. Some sixty years ago,
when l was small boy, my parents
received new spaper con aiming SUBJ
stanlially the same story that you have
told me. About forty years ago while