Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
HE WANTS TO FIGHT.
CAPTAIN DE DIEpHANI Is ANXIOUS
TO GO TO WAR.
HE DOES NOT LIKE SPAIN.
sketch OF His Carcer-was ut One
Time an ofiicer I'm The British
Navy-Rather lie n Private Under
Lee Than n General Elsewhere.

Captain F. de Elephant, Compile de
Chamoorde. the French nobleman who
on Monday addressed letter to Governor
Tyler Offering his services to the United
States Government in the war against
Spain. on yesterday addressed a similar
letter 10 General Fitzhugh Lee. in which
he requested that the General should re-
member him. and. II possible. give him
position under him. In the letter the
Captain told General Lee. that he would
rather fight under him as private than
command a brigade under some one else.
Captain de Elephant was seen at, the
Jefferson yesterday by u Dispatch man.
He is a thorough Democrat, both in poll
tics and in manner. He is a son OF
General Chamborde, of Paris. who was
many years ago exiled from France, and
the Comte. who succeeded TO his title
and estates. says he left France because
OF the treatment his father received. He
went TO England and accepted com
mission as captain in her Majestys navy.
and twelve years ago came to this coun-
try. He drifted about over the States
until about two years ago. when he mar
ried Miss Hopkins. of New Market, Va,
and settled in that place.
CALL Me CAPTAIN"
When the Dispatch reporter addressed
him yesterday as Count the nobleman
objected, saying that the title ne most
liked was Captain" He said he had
no love for the French people or for the
royalty, and was especially embittered
against the royalty of France for the
treatment accorded his father
He IS a great admirer Of General Lee
in fact, of the whole Lee family-and
said he would not give one Fitz Lee for
the whole royal family OF Europe. The
Captain said he saw General Lee in the
Jefferson yesterday morning. and was
tempted TO speak to him, but did not
have the courage to do so. When told.
however. that the General was one of the
most approachable of men. he expressed
great regret that he had not spoken to
him.
Discussing the American people. Cap
tain de Elephant said they were the best
the sun ever shone upon. and Virginians
he considered to be the cream Of the
earth. when l first came to this coun-
try twelve years ago. he said. Il felt
that because / was a comte everybody
met must bow and scrape TO me. 1t
was not long. however, before i realized
the error Of my way. and now if man
should approach me in anything but an
open, frank, democratic manner, |
should distrust him. l despise to see
a man grovelling at the feet OF another.
I was a count but now 1 am no count"
NO LOVE FOR SPAIN.
As the Captain made this remark he
broke forth in a loud laugh. and then
talked most Interestingly Of the war in
progress with Spain. lie expressed re-
greet that France was not as friendly TO
this country as she should be. and said
If ali the Frenchmen were like him they
would be only too willing TO take up
arms against Spain. II do not like
Spaniard" he said, Il would not breath
the air with one two minutes if 1 could
help H.. They are a low treacherous
people and l only hope that the Copor-
tunity will be given me by Uncle Sam TO
Join in the effort TO exterminate them"
While an officer i'm the British navy,
Captain de Elephant says his vessel fired |
on the American flag in Behring sea. |
The Stars and Stripes hoated from a fish
ing ship, which was encroaching upon |
British waters, but now, he says. even |
should war come between this country |
and Great Britain, he would fight under |
the Stars and Stripes.
The Captain has been here several days. |
His wife accompanies him, and they are |
quartered at the Jefferson.