The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-10-17
LAST GREAT SOLDIER.
Marshal Mcmahon Ends His
Long and Honorable
Career.
TWICE PRESIDENT OF FRANCE.
He Was the Only Surviving
Captain of Great European
Wars.
The Empires Best Legacy-Ser-
vices in Algiers, The Crimea,
Italy and Alsace.
By cable to the United Press

PARIS, Oct. II. 1s93-Field Marshal
MacMahon. Duke OF Magenta, died this
morning. His illness has been known
to the public for many days past. Yes
terday he was reported better, and it was
hoped he would recover.
Marie Edmond Patrick Maurice de
MacMahon was the six eenth of family
OF seventeen children. He was born
June Is. 1903, in the Chateau of SuIly, at
Autun. The branch Of the family from
which he descended owned extensive
esta tes on the border of the counties
Clare IN Limerick, in Ireland. Cling ing,
as many other Irish families did. to the
cause of the Stuarts, the MacMahons
paid the Ienalty of their devotlon IN
exile and prescription.
His Rreat-grandfather, who took part
in the defense OF Limerick, left Ireland
with Sarsfisld and his troops and settled
down in France, where he practiced med
icine. He married the oulY daughter OF a
French noble who owned the Chateau OF
Sully ana landed estates of the Saone and
Loire. His sou succeeded to the property
and was created Count by Louis XIV,
aad his heir. the Marshal's father. was
raised to the pesrage by Louis XVIII.
HIS MILITARY CAREER.
In early life the Marshal was intended
FOR the priesthood. but having no liking
for the studies he was sent TO the mill
tary academy of ST. Cyr. His military
career began In 1929, when as Lieutenant
he left St. Cyr fer Algiers. His baptism
of fire TOOK place in 1880 at the siege of
Algiers. where he distinguished himself.
Recalled 10 France in the same year, he
took part in the Belgian campaign for
independence.
In 1888 he was made captain and enter
ed the Chasseure-s-pied and the Foreign
Legion. He became a colonel in 1S45 and
brigadier general In 1S4S. From 1854 to
1870 he was Governor Of Algiers.
When the Crimeau war broke out he
took part and distinguished himself by
his bravery.
Probably his greatest military feat was
at the battle of Magenta. June 4. 1859,
with the Austrians on one side and
French aud Italians on the her. Ma
poleon III. who saw his throne trem-
bling In the balance. appealed to Mac
Mahon, who by heroic coup in the midst
of storm OF shot aud shell. turned the
tide Of title and won the dag. For this
he received the baton of Marshal an was
created Duke Of Magenta.
When France declared war with Ger
many. MacMahon was summoned from
Algiers. and appointed Commander-in-
Chief of one of the Rhine divisions. 1t
is said that had he been placed first in
command the result of the war might
have been different. He was wounded
at the opening of the battle OF Sedan and
was in the hospital when the Emperor
surrendered. MacMahon refused the
offer of liberty, and went to Germany a
captive with his men. In the days of
the Commune he was released with other
French soldiers.
PRESIDENT OF FRANCE.
In May, 1873, the Marshal was rails I'd
to the highest Dost In the State by the
National Assem- bly,. He remained Presi-
deut of the Republic until lS79 when
he resigned. During his term of office
be was instrumental In organizing the
army and perfectlng the resources of
France
MacMahon was often accused of hav-
ing monarchical sympathies, but as
guardian OF the Republic he acknowl-
edged no pretender and refused to sane.
tion or tolerate any conspiracy for the
revival of either the empire or the mon
archy. However, he was not noted for
success as u politician.
Since 1879 he had lived in almost com,
plete retirement with his family, He
spent the winters il Paris and the Sum-
mers at his chateau in AUtun. During
all his life he was true to the land of mis-
forefathers. and the cause of Iri.h inds-
pendence had his entire sympathtes.
He was over the medium height ana of
slender frame. but his chest wa, deep
aud his shoulders massive. His head
was handsomely shaped and his gray
hair were closely cropped.