The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-05-13
Sketch of His Career.

Bismarck alone remains OF tn6 Srodt tTio
which gave imperial Germany her greatness.
And the iron 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 one"-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 centered the hopes OF
the people Of the Fatherland.
Helmuth Karl Bernhard Freiherr Won
Moltke was born October 90. 1900, in the
town OF Parchim. Soon after his birth his
parents moved to Lubeck, where the Won
Moltke residence was burned in the year
1906 and the family thea went to August
enhof, in Holstein. There the future
famous Field Marshal spent his 10y
hood and youth. As youth he
10 the Land Cadets Academy at
Copenhagen and he became an officer at tbs
early age of eighteen. Through the good Of
fees Of the Duke Of Holsten he was enabled
to 90 to Berlin, where he passed his examina-
.tion and was appointed to the infantry. He
was dissatisfied with the opportunities Of
.lered by the Danish service for advance
.,ment, and King Frederick W granted him
:. permission to Join foreign army for sea-
pon, IL oiusA w Peiheeo oA' H1
lion.
He begged his King to grant him three
months pay as ''travel money" III His
Majesty will concede my request" wrote
Won Moltke, ''I 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
~sver.
He entered the Prussiau service at the age
of TWENTY-FIVE. In 1892 he was appointed on
1.-The general staff and in 1885 he was allowed
togo to Turkey for the purpose of reorganiz-
ing the Turkish army.
In 1899 he took part in the Syrian cam
.paign against Mahomet Ali Of Egypt. and
at the close Of the war he returned to Prus-
.,sia.
After spending some timein travel he was
appointed Chief Of the Grand General Staff
oe the Prussan Army in 1858 and 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, and IN
1854, 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 dl.
rected the movements Of the troops and led
them to victory.
When war with France was declared
against Germany Won Moltke was un-
moved. It is said Of him that when he first
heard the news he was in bed and he reused
himself for moment and said to the mas
senger: "Oh, very we'll; the third portfolio
on the left" In that portfolio were found
all the necessary plans for the impending
campaign.
Bismarck tells a characteristic story Of
Won Moltke. At the decisive battle OF
Sadowa, when victory was dubious for
hours, Bismarck, tormented by doubt and
fear as to the result rode to the side OF
Moltke, who sat silent on his black
charger. His mind was intent on the
struggle aud it was impossible to attract his
attention. The great Chancellor had lit
tie case in his pocket containing two cigars,
one Of choice and the other of inferior quail
.elty. He offered the case to Won Moltke, who
without speaking, carefully examined the two
cigars and took the good one without word
Of thanks But Bismarck understood him,
and putting spurs to his horse, returned to
his post. He thought that if Won Moltke
could calmly make choice Of cigar at such
moment, it meant that ell was going on
right.
It is said that no one ever saw Moltke ex.
cited. At Sedan be was the coolest man on
the entire field, althouy yh the whole responsi.
bility rested on him, with the fate Of the
two greatest nations in Europe awaiting de-
cision at the cannons mouth. His intellect
was cold and scientific, more constructive
than creative. Nothing was left to chanca
or accident. Everything was provided for,
and his plans were so flexible that they could
be changed in an instant to meet any un-
foreseen emergency.
For his services in this war with France
Won Moltke was created Count and ap-
pointed Chief Marshalof the German Empire,
and In 1872 was made life member in the Up
per House Of the Reichstag. From this time on
Count Won Moltke devoted himself to his
studies and to the teaching of military mat
ters to the young officers and soldiers of the
: German Army. He attended to his duties
In Parliament, but seldom showed any inter.
est in matters not connected with military
affairs.
his declining years have been spent in the
quiet home life which he loved so well, and
their surroundings formed the peaceful
twilight Of a busy life. He was born with
the century, and has been one of its greatest
characters. His memory will live forever in
the hearts Of his countrymen as one of the
greatest Of soldiers, scholar and states