The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-10-27
A GREAT SOLDIER DEAD.


diers, Dies at Good Old Age-His
Career.
PARIS, Oct 1s.-Maurice de MacMa-
hon, ex-president of France and mar
shall of her armies, died at 10 o'clock
yesterday at his home, Chateau La
Foren. on the Loire. He was able to
partake of food until Monday, but
during last night his strength gradu-
ally waned and he grew weaker until
the end came peacefully. The family
were all present at his death.
BIOGRAPHICAL
In the death of Marshal MacMahon France
loses one of the most brilliant figures among
her famous men of deed and valor. He had
served well and bravely under several regimes
the kingdom. the empire and the republic
His sympathies were, however, with mon
archical government and of this fact he made
no secret 1t had long been his wish that he
might live to see the time when a monarch
should once more rule France. He served as
q youth I'm Algeria and later in the same land
he was commander OF the French forces. He
fought valiantly in the Crimean war and routed
the Austrians in the brief but memorable
struggle near the bridge OF Magenta, for which
he was made duke OF Magenta and marshal Of
France on the field of battle by Napoleon Ill
He came of n long line of fighters 1t is said
that it was n MacMlhon who on the field OF the
battle of Waterloo ordered the famous charge
of the Third Curassiers, of whom only 100 sur
vved and only eight OF whom escaped wounds.
The marshal's full name was Marie Edme
Patrice Maurice de MacMahon. He was de-
scendent of an Irish family who went into exile
with James IL He was born in Autun in 1893.
and had therefore lived more than four score
OF years Like several of his ancestors he
early showed great love Of matters military,
and was sent TO the famous school Of st Cyr.
When 10 years old, an age at which the average
youth is still termed a stripping, he was sub
lieutenant of the Fourth Hussars, OF which his
brother was then captain.
The future marshal soon saw active service
being not long afterward sent to Africa with
the Twentieth regiment He participated in
the Algerian war and when % years old had
won the cross of the Legion of Honor. given
him on a field OF battle by Gen Achard The
following year, 1881. he was appointed lieu
tenant in the Eighth Curassers, and during
the next twelve months departed with the
Belgian expedit on as aid-de-camp to Gen
Achard For bravery at the battle OF Ant
wcrp he was given the cross of the Order OF
leopold From Europe he once more went
10 Africa and in that country attained
still greater and additional distinctions
as valiant soldier. During the battle of Con
stantine he was wounded badly, and for ser
vices on that day he was promoted to the grade
of an officer in the Legion Of Honor. Several
years later he organized regiment OF chas-
seurs and rose from one rank 10 another until
he became general of brigade and governor OF
Tlemcen. A year later he was made 4 COM
mander of the Legion OF Honor and governor
of the provinces of Oran and Constantine.
From n commander in the legion he passed
through the successive grades until he received
the highest possible mark of esteem. the
grand cross, in September. 1855, for valor at
SebastopOL
years. having successfully carried cut his coup
d'e,at in l,5a. The Crimean struggle then de
seconded upon Europe. and with the same
readiness that he had served the kingdom and
republic Marshal MacMahOn answered the
emperor's call and entered upon service in
Russia He was 4 commander OF division OF
Bosquet's corps, and led the assault upon the
Malaloff in the great battle of Sebastopol
Malakoff was the key to Russia's position ard
was strengthened with all the forces possible
to act there.
The intrepid MacMahon cut his wav into the
fortress and held his ground steadily against
almost overwhelming odds. Marshal Pellis-
sier. fearing that the soldier and his daring
followers would be annihilated, ordered a re-
treat MacMahon ignored his superor's COM
mand and sent back his historical response i
am here and here shall stay" And stay he
did Shortly afterward SebastopOl was taken
Following his return to France, Cen Mac
MllOn was sent To Algeria anu ldltr given
command OF ali the French forces in that land
His stay in Africa was not prOtracied, as he
was recalled b. The emperor and sent against
the AuSrianS in northern Italy His most
notable achievement during This campaign was
near the bridge of Magenta The French
troops had been steadily forcing the Ausirlans
before them for a week, but day were I'M
cxpectediv attacked b. Austrian reinforce
lnents. The retreat then turnei for time to
the French siIe. AT critical moment when
total rcut seemed the inevitable MlcMahon,
who was engaged in duty on the outer lines,
cast aside all instructions and with his troops,
rushed into the center of battle with impetuOus
force and put 10 fight the Austrians. taking
1000 prisoners The emperor witnessed the
deed and on the field of battle made the soldier
duke Of Magenta and a marshal of France.
At the coronation of William Ill OF Prussia
Marshal McMahCn represented Emperor Ma
poleon and soon after succeeded Canrobert as
commander of the Third army corps and then
was sent to Algeria where he had gained al
most his first practical experience in war, as
governorgenera. This was in l,64 In this
capacity he was not over successful He was
harassed much Of the time By absurd schemes
of the French emperor. who wished to make
himself ruler of an Arabian kingdom. Twice
in lS7O. impelled by the intense suffering and
misery in the province, he sent in his resigna-
ton governor.
This same year Napoleon became involved
with Germany and issued the declaration OF
war " ich ended so disastrously 10 France.
MacMahon was recalled from Algeria and
placed in command of the First army corps
and marched against the German frontier. He
was defeated at Woerth and forced TO retreat
Napoleon proved himself no worthy successor
Of his noted ancestor and soon brought the
campaign TO defeat at Sedan. MacMahon was
wounded by shell early in the struggle and
took no part in The signing of the terms of ca
pitulation The humiliation of the French flag
was a terrible blow to the marshal, who was
carried in an ambulance u prisoner into Ger
many.
After NJ Theirs had served his term as presi
dent of the French republic MacMahon sue
ceedcd him OF late years he has lived in re-
tirement