The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-29
NEY AN AMERICAN.
A CLAIM THAT THE FAMOUS MARSHAL
WAS BORN M GEORGIA.
He Attended school In His Native Town
of sunbury. and IL Was Ono of His Old
schooImates who Recognized Him ~ He
Rode with Napoleon In Paris.


Rode With Napoleon In Paris.
About n year ago, when was In
Camp Anderson serving as sergeant major
of the Third squadron or tho Fifth regi-
mont Of cavalry, the drill call was sound
ed and the squadron marched out on the
field. The major commanding them gave
the order, Captains, take charge Of your
companies and drill them, sand as had
nothing to do, In company with Lieuten-
mt A. 5. Way, adjutant Of tho squadron,
lay down on the grass In the shade OF
tree and between the puffs from fra
grant Havana he told the following story
as tell ID TO you:
Over 100 years ago, down on the coast OF
Liberty county, Georgia had a city Of 1000
or 1000 inhabitants. Situated on high
bluff amid the grand old oaks festooncd
with waving fringes Of the Spanish moss
lay old Sunbury, now naught but pile of
decayed ruins. In the distance across the
barbor, where mon-of-war might lay at
anchor, st. GATHERINGS rose blue and
misty, and beyond was the great void OF
trackless ocean Near by was q fort with
its iron mounted war dogs and pacing
sentries, while over all shone the, bright,
warm sun OF the semitropics. Here lived.
loved and died the forpfathors Of many OF
Liberty's many citizens and many who
oftimes sedatcly paced the quaint old
streets now lie sleeping meath the waving
trees OF the little cemetery near by.
The town was tho birthplace of many
noted men, but none moro so than one of
the brothers Rudolph, whose name rung
through the world as one of Frances
greatest marshals-Ncy.
Born in Sunbury, Of wealthy ana aris-
tocratic porapts ha rxxep1aI tho Gunhury
institute Of DIR. Mcguire where into him
were instilled tic rudinicnts Of the cduca-
tion which he afterward went to France
TO complete.
A few years passed and young Rudolph
again visited his American home, n French
man In everything but birth. His man
ners were those of the Partisan, and the
language of the French fell far more nu-
entity from his lips than that OF his native
land. Sunbury quiet and isolated, after
the gay lifo Of the French capital was too
dull, and one day, as the sun was glim-
mcring over the sound, young Rudolph
left home TO visit Florida, then the land OF
tho Spaniard.
Months passed. and no word was heard
of him. The months passed Into years,
and still the fate Of the young man was
unknown, but soon Oh incident occurred
A native OF old Sunbury visited Paris at
the time Napoleon was at the zenith OF
his power and glory and chanced 10 be on
the street one day when tho emperor, ae-
conipanied Ivy his magnificent train,
passed Among the followers. clad In all
tbt panoply OF war nnd rich materials of
his high office, rode Noy, NapoleQns great
est marshal.
The gentleman from old Liberty recog-
nized him as his old playmate, Rudolph,
and starting forward exclaimed, "Why
that's Rudolph!" As the familiar pame
and language struck the car Of Ney he
quickly turned his head but rode on with
face as immovable as q statue.
Soon an aid presented himself TO the
Georgian, and saIuting announced that
Marshal Ney wished To SEQ the gentleman
at his headquarters, and under the guild.
ance Of the officer the gentleman soon
found himself alone with tho man before
whom armies had trembled Ney fixed on
him keen. scrutinizing glance and in the
language OF the French said, why did
you call mo Rudolph on the street today"
'Because you are he" answered the
American. A moments thought and Ney
asked, How do you know / am hef"
"Why, because knew you rs boy In old
Sunbury, in Georgia, where we used to
play together and went to school to DIR.
Mcguire"
"Yes," f" said Ney, "I am Rudolph, but
never let that name again pass your lips,
for its price would be my head. To Ma
poloon am Frenchman. Rudolph never
lived Go and mover breathe that name
again"
Time wont by, and this same gentleman
visited Paris again. II was at the second
Nax- otr,p ~ hto oil
and power, lay In prison. His sentence
came, and he was sentenced to die the
- tieath of traitor by having his head sew
cred at the block. When he. heard tho yer-
dict, ho asked that three requests might be
granted him, and after due consideration
they were allowed. They were, first,
that as he had always been soldier
he might die soldiers death; second,
that no would not be shot in the face;
third, that rs 10 had commanded tho
most famous armies OF the world 30 might
he command tie squad who were 10 exc
cute him.
Two days nftcrward, Dec z. 1915, the
gentleman from Sunbury was strolling in
tho Luxembourg when his attention was
attracted by rapidly approaching illo OF
soldiers carrying with them prisoner.
As they halted and the condemned took
MS rlnCc uRulnst 'nc bro., pinhh Noh ~
raised his head, and the American recog-
nized tho playmate Of his youth, Rudolph
Ito the French, Ney.
Ncy drew himself proudly erect, and
glancinR over tho small crowd which had
gathered recognized his old Sunbury friend
and gave him smile of recognition,
then, turning 90 the soldiers, In clear
voice in tho English language, gave the
command: Ready Aim Fire" Tho
soldiers stirred not muscle, and then Ney
gave the command in French, nj which
the rifles cracked
Marshal Ney-Rudolph was no moro.
The soldiers rapidly returned to the city,
and Ney lay on the frozen ground, face
downward, with one hand above his head
and his military cloak around him. So
pcrished one Of Georgia's sons, for he was
ono despite hstorys contradiotion.--A
hort ID Akin In .Icsup Sentinel.