The Odessa herald. (Odessa, Del.) 1888-1892, 1891-05-02
sketch of His Career,

pismarck alone remains OF the great trio
which gave imperial Germany her greatness
And the ''ron man OF war and peace rests
In the obscurity of country estate, stripped
of his power. In the death OF Count Won
Moltke-the .silent onep-Germany loses
her greatest general, and the science of war
fare its greatest exponent of strategy. Dur
Ing the threatening days of the terrible
struggle with France, Won Moltke was the
man upon whom old Emperor William
relied, and in whom conferred the hopes OF
the people of the Fatherland.
Helmuth Karl Bernhard Freiherr Won
Moltke was born October 20, 1900 in the
town of Parchinl. Soon after his birth his
parents moved to Lubbock, where the Won
Moltke residence was burned in the year
1S06, and the family then went to August
cabot, in Holstein. There the future
famous Field Marshal spent his boy
hood and youth. As youth he
loved study, aud his father sent him
Copenhagen. and he became an officer at the
early age of eighteen. Through the good Of
fees of the Duke of Holstein he was enabled
to go to Berlin, where passed his examina-
ton and was appointed to the infantry. He
was dissatisfied With the opportunities of
fered by the Danish service for advance
ment and King Frederick VI. granted him
permission to join foreign army for sea-
sou, in order to perfect his military educa-
ton.
He begged his King to grant him three
| months pay as 'travel money" IT His
Majesty will concede my request wrote
| Won Moltke, 81 trust that shall acquire such
Knowledge and capacity in the Prussian
service as shall hereafter enable me to repay
| the King and Denmark"
His Majesty refused this modest request,
and Won Moltke left the Danish service for
| ever.
He entered the Prussian service at the age
of Twenty-Five In 1872 he was appointed on
the general staff and in 1885 he was allowed
| togo to Turkey for the purpose Of reorganiz-
ing the Turkish army.
In 1889 he took part in this Syrian cam
paign against Mahomet Ali of Egypt, AMI
at the close of the war he returned 20 Prus-
STA.
After spending some time in travel he was
appointed Chief of the Grand General Staff
o. the Prussian Army in 1858 aud Lieuten.
ant-General in 1859. During the Austro.
Italian War in 1859 he spent much time with
the Austrians, gaining practical knowledge
which he found useful in after years, aud in
1864, when the war against Denmark broke
out he formed the plan of campaign and as
sisted in its execution. Two years later, when
the movement against Austria began, he di-
rected the movements of the troops and led
them to victory.
When war with France was declared
against Germany Won Moltke was UNI
moved. 1t is said of him that when he first
heard the news he was in bed AMI he reused
himself for moment and said to the mes
senger; "oh, very well; the third portfolio
on the left" In that portfolio were found
all the necessary plans for the impending
campaign.
Bismarck tells characteristic story of
Won Moltke. At the decisive battle Of
Sadowa, when victory was dubious fol
hours, Bismarck, tormented by doubt and
fear as to the result, rods to the side OF
! M0ltka who cilatft on hts bIonl
charger His mind was intent on thu
struggle and it was impossible to attract hi
attention. The great Chancellor had a lit
tie case In his pocket containing two cigars
one of choice and the other of inferior quail
ity. He offered the case to Won Moltke, who
without speaking, carefully examined the two
cigars and took the good one without wore
of thanks. But Bismarck understood him
and putting spurs to his horse, returned K
his post He thought that il Won Moltk,
could calmly make choice of a cigar at sucl
moment, 1t meant that all was going OF
right
1t is said that no one ever saw Moltke ex
cited. AT Sedan he was the coolest man OF
the entire field, although the whole responsi
biltty rested on him, with the fate of til
two greatest nations in Europe awaiting de
cision at the lannon's mouth. His intellec
was cold and scientific, more constructiv
than creative. Nothing was left to chanc
or accident. Everything was provided fol
and his plans were so flexible that they coul,
be changed in an instant to meet any un
foreseen emergency.
For his services in this war with Franc
J Won Moltke was created Count and or
pointed Chief Marshal of the German Empire
and in 1872 was made life member in the UI
per House of the Reichstag. From this time O
Count Won Moltke devoted himself to hi
studies and to the teaching of military mat
ters to the young officers and soldiers Of tn
German Army. He attended to his dutie
in Parliament, but seldom showed any inter
est in matters not connected with militar
affairs.
, His declining years have been spent in til
quiet home life which he loved so well, an
their surroundings formed the peaceful
: twilight of busy life He was born wit
, the century, and has been one of its creates
{ characters. His memory will live forever il
, the hearts of his countrymen as one of tn
greatest of soldiers, a scholar and state.
man,