The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-10-21
Death OF mac MAHON
france Loses One of Her
Once Notable Figures.

SS A'OsooAS . vi 90.
He Was One OF the Greatest Men i'm
the History ofthc Country, Probably,
Excepting Napoleon Brief sketch
OF His Interesting Career.
PARIS, Oct. IL. The death OF Marsha I
MacMahon removes one OF the greatest
men, probably, in the history OF France,
excepting that OF Napoleon.
His demise, coming at the time OF the
unusual demonstrations accorded to the
visiting Russians, has mingled the bitter
with the sweet, and the French nation to
day is divided between sorrow and happi.
ness
Marie Edmond Patrice Maurice de Mac
Mahon, duke OF Magenta, marshal OF
France, ex-senator, and ex president OF the
French republic. was born at Suliy, in the
Saone ct Loire on July l3, 1903. He was
descended from An ancient Catholic fam
lily OF Ireland which followed the Stusrts
into exile
The son OF French peer, one Of the
personal friends OF Charles X, young
MacMahon, after passing through the
military school of Saint Cyr, was placed
in the corps of the guards, and had his
first military experience in Africa.
He passed rapidly through all the grades
aud became general OF brigade in lS4S,
when he becs me administrator OF the sub
division OF Temsen lie mad been Great ed
an officer OF the Legion OF Honor in 1897
Gen. MacMahon saw his first military
service against Europeans in the Crimean
war in 1856, where he was placed in com
mand OF the division OF infantry in the
corps OF Marshal Bosquet To him was
committed the perious honor of captur-
ing the Malakoff After furious resist
snce, which lasted Tor hours. the Russians
were compelled TO retreat, thus giving up
one Of the keys to the fortiiications of the
city. For this exploit MacMahon received
the thanks OF the French and the grand
cross OF the Legion of Honor.
His next services were in Africa, where
he commanded division in the Kabylie
expedition. lie drove these trbesmen.
who have recently been giving trouble TO
the Spaniards, from their positions. In
the Italian war in 1859 MacMahon took "a
distinguished part in the victory OF Ma
gcnta, and Napoleon III. made nim a
duke and marshal.
In 1854 MacMahon WAS made governor
general of Algeria, where he put in force
military administration OF such rigor as
to call forth accusations from Mgr. Lavig-
srie, the great anti-slavery prelate. who
hinted that the governor general showed
An inclination To establish something like
an Arab kingdom.
When the cabinet % Emile oliver came
into power n strong party in the chamber
declared in favor OF purely civil govern
merit for Algiers. MacMahon wanted TO
resign. but the government refused TO
allow him TO do 40. and insisted on his re.
manning TO put the new regime in force.
When the war with Prussia broke out in
1870 MacMahon was recalled to France and
put at the head OF the lst army corps,
which had charge of the defense OF Alsace
On Aug. his advance guard was defeated
at WeisenbOurg and two days later the
Crown Prince Frederick defeated him at
Woerth Reichoflen and Frcschweilcr,
compelling him TO 1bandou the line OF the
Vosges.
MacMahon hal only $4,000 French
men to pit against $1,000 Germans. lie
made clever retreat with the remains of
his army upon Chalons and took command
Of the new army which was organized there.
Against his protest he was ordered to
Join Marshal Bazaine at Metz
Learning on Aug. ~ that the Prusssns,
instead OF marching on Paris, had turned
north. MacMahon concentrated lis troops
vt Sedan, where, on Aug 81, his body OF
100, ,O0O men was attacked on Sep. by
$50, 900 Germans. Early in the day the
marshal was severely wounded. He gave
up the command TO Ducrot, 5u Gen.
Wimpffen arrived with orders from Paris
and insisted on taking command.
In the meantime Napoleon, whose gen
eral quarters were at Sedan, gave the
order to retire within the place. An un-
conditional capitulation OF the emperor
and the French army was signed by Gen.
Wimpffen. and the wounded MacMahon
was carried of to remain in Germany until
after the signature Of the preliminarirs Of
peace in 1871.
MacMahon's first duty on returning 20
France was TO come TO the assistanc. Of
Thiers, who appealed TO him for assistancs
su,fust the commune in "a documeut In
which he called him a soldier without
fear and without reproach On Nay -
be was master Of Paris