Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-05-15

A cablegram from Berlin announces that
Count Won Moltke is dead. He attended the
session of the Reichstag during the last after
noon of his life. His death was extremely
sudden. and the physicians who were sum-
moned announced that it was caused by
failure of the heart. He died at 9:45 P. M,
passing away quietly and painlessly. The
news of the Counts unexpected death caused
great sorrow in Berlin.
Sketch of His Career.
Bismarck 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 a 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 it's 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 26. 1900, i'll the
town of Parchim. Soon after his birth his
parents moved to Lubbock where the Won
Moltke residence was burned in the year
1906 and the family then went to August
eenhof, in Holstein; There the future
famous Field Marshal spent his boy
hood and youth. AS youth he
to the Land Cadets Academy at
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 he 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-
in To mill o5,
ton.
He begged his King to grant him three
months pay as ''travel money" IS If His
Majesty will concede my request" wrote
Won Moltke 81 trust that I shall acquire such
knowledge and capacity in the Prussian
service 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 1892 he was appointed on
the general staff and in 1885 he was allowed
togo to Turkey for the purpose of rearganiz-
ing the Turkish army.
In 1889 he took part in the Syrian cam
paign against Mahomet Ali of Egypt, and
at the close of the war he returned to Prus-
STA.
After spending some timein travel he was
appointed Chief of the Grand General Staff
OF the Prussian Army in 1853 and Lieuten-
Italian War in 1859 he spent much time with
the Austrians, gaining practical knowledge
which he found useful in after years, and in
1864, when the war against Denmark broke
out, he formed the plan of campaign and as
sisted in it's 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 url-
moved. 1t 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 mes
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 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 hts black
charger. His mind was intent on the
struggle and it was impossible to attract his
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 word
OF thanks But Bismarck understood him.
and putting spurs to his horse returned to
his post. He thought that if Won Moltke
COul0 calmly MAKE clOlce OF cigar at SuCn
a moment, it meant that all was going on
right.
It is said that no one ever saw Moltke ex
cited. At Sedan he was the coolest man on
the entire field, although the whole response
bility rested on him, with the fate Of the
two greatest nations in Europe awaiting de
cision at the lannon's mouth. His intellect
was cold and scientific, more constructive
than creative. Nothing was left to chance
or accident. Everything was provided for
and his plans were 50 flexible that they could
be changed in an instant to meet any IN
foreseen emergency.
For his services in this war with France
Won Moltke was created Count and ap-
pointed Chief Marshal OF 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 busy life. He was born with
the century, and has been one of its greatest
characters. His memory win live forever in
the hearts of his countrymen as one of the
greatest Of soldiers, scholar and a states