Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1893-10-26
SAAT or MARSHAL EacMAHoN

Field Marshal MacMshon, Duke
Of Magenta, the ablest French
soldier aimee the days of Bonaparte
died lzss Tuesday morning, Oc-
toaer II, at the advanced age OF
IS
He was, as his name shows, and
- he always proudly boosted, a
nan ofIrieh blood, with all the
valor ard loyalty of his race. His
Irish ancestors followed the fors
spnes Of tie illsfated Stuarts, and
after the overthrow of King James,
settled IN Burgundy, The father
Of tbs Marshal was 3 general and a
pser o. F:auce. vho married & lady
Of high rank. Eight children were
born Of the uniun. The youngest
VS. Marie Edme Patriee Maurice,
who was detained to be the most
illEstrious Of his race.
Young MscMahon entered the
military school Of ST. Cyr at the
Ys % II, graduating in 1880, and
going On active service at once in
The Algerian wars. His promotion,
slow 1T first, became rapid as soon
co hls rare military qualities were
appYecisted. He attained to the
rHnk of brigsdier-general in 104S,
bat it Was not until seven years
!ster shat the Crimean War gave
him thu hrsc opportunity Of diss
playing his generalship on a really
great feio.
II the grand attack on Sebastos
pol, Sept. 8, 1855, he led the ass
ssult or the Malakof against Ii
most tremendous odds, The Malae
koH was the key Of the Russian des
fences. MacMshon's superior offs
Ger ordsred him 10 retire, after his
desperate charge mad wen the
stronghold. 81 am here, and here
I esay." was the hero's reply; and
there he s.aid until Sebastorol was
taken. The grand cross of he
Legion o. Honor Ua8 MS immediate
reward, bat from that day forth
NacMahon held the confidence
and affection Of the French peo-
pie.
On tie fourth of June, 1859, he
Won sbe decisive victory Of Magen-
t., for which Emperor Louis Ma
poleon made him Field Marshal
and Duke Of Magenta. The vex,
atien and thankless duties of a
governorsgenersl in Algeria occu-
pied his aaoceed,ng years until the
TrzncoFrussian war of 1870 re-
called hin to greater responsibiIis
ties.
THAT which Mcclellan had to n
dare al the hands of political war;
riors in the Virginia Peninsula.
Aa:Hshon underwent in the cams
peign against Germany. The
reebla Emperor, coerced by clamor
tron Paris, insisted on holding
nominal command Of the army.
Mschakon's plans were hampered
by g totally Inefficient commissas
riat, sud overra!ed by the ignorant
janta in Paris. The story Of in.
competence and vacillation,
and their grim consequences
is told by lola in his terrible
book, lie Debscle," albeit the
author does less than justice to
AacAahon's nobility OF soul and
splendid courage under circum~
stances most trying to a loyal sols
der. 1t WAS the old story repeated,
Of sarafeld serving a worthless
monarch. Could MacMahon have
enlarged kings" Sedan would
have had a different issue.
The French people appreciated
his virtues, however. On the re-
ATgns.ion Of Theirs. in 1873, Mac
fahon received 800 of the 1872
otes cest by the Assembly, and
wss elected President of the French
Republic. HIS held the office for
six years under most onerous and
novel difficulties.
History will pass no uncertain
verdict on MacMahon. He was
brave, loyal, honest, and straights
forward in all things, a Christian
soldier of the true chivalrous type,
"vithout fear and without re-
rwrm-R - NJ H.