The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-06-06
Marshal Ney.

The Kansas City Times recently
contained an article on Marshal Ney,
giving evidence in support of the theory
of his American birth, aud alluded
to his career while in France az fol-
lows:
In France, Ney joined the army and
fought as private under the great
Napoleon. Egypt, Toulon, the reign
of terror, the consulate, Marengo, and
Austeritz, the first empire and the one
hundred days, are some Of the scenes
of this stirring period with which the
young hero must have been familiar,
His heart was broken by his wife's sup
posed treachery and dishonor. His
soul was fired with an ambition for
military glory, and he fought with the
desperation of one who courts death,
and who has everything to win and
nothing to lose in this life.
AT that time very few of the French
soldiers could write. During the heat
of terrific battle, the story goes, Ma
paleon wanted to send dispatch. For
the moment his aides had left or been
separated from him. He turned to a
corps near him.
"Can any of you write p.
Private Ney touched his cap.
"Come to my quarters"
Napoleon dictated dispatch. As
thelprivate sat writing ball from the
enemy's cannon tore through the tent
and exploded between the general and
his improvised secretary, blowing up
the ground at their feet. Ney never
looked up nor moved muscle, but,
finishing the line, shook the sand from
the paper and handing it to Napoleon,
said: .l......... ...........
"They have saved me the trouble of
sanding (blotting) the dispatch
Napoleon could only gaze on the un-
concerned young man with admiration,
and exclaimed "The bravest Of the
brave I"
From that time Neys advancement
was very rapid.
The matters here given are not sup.
posed to be strictly historical, out are
given as remembered by one who heard
them from the mouths of men who
knew the actors in their lifetime.
After the fall of Napoleon and his
banishment to Elba, Marshal Ney, aud
the other great morals of the fallen
hero were released on parole. Then
came the escape from Elba and the one
hundred days, Ney and Murat and
the other great marshals flocked to the
standard of the little giant. Where
was their word of parole to bear arms
no more against England aud the al
lies now
What next? Waterloo. Tie treach-
cry or imbecility of Grouchy. Napo-
Icons defeat St. Helena for Napoleon.
Court martial and death for Ney, the
brave Murat and the rest. r..s
Before he was shot Ney confessed
to the Judge advocate, who would fsin
have defended him, that he was an
American subject. To his sons he said
that his name was Rudolph, and that
he had abandoned their mother and
left her in America.
On his trial the Judge advocate ex-
claimed "If can save Marshal Ney
by no other means now declare that
he is not Frenchman, but
''Hold J" cried the great general. '1f
/ die l will die as Frenchman. Let
the past be buried with me y
| He died as he had lived. Murat,
the brotherin-law of Napoleon and
king of Naples, begged that the SOL
diers would spare his face. He was a
very handsome man and proud of his
looks, though as brave as a lion.
| Ney drew himself up to his full, fold
ed his arms, declined to have his eyes
bandaged, and said
| Sire where you will. have faced
death too many times to fear it now
| "Ready Aim Ia long, level row
of muskets pointing at the doomed man
-"Fire ~ a streak of fire runs along
| the line, puff of smoke, report and
the soul of the brave Ney had gone te
Join its Maker. .aII g