The evening times., 1898-11-05
THE. SAXON KING.


On October % King Albert of Saxony
celebrated the twenty-fifth anniver-
sary of his accession to the throne
of his fathers. The event was one
of unusual importance to all Ger
many; for, Of the twenty-five states
and one Reiehland, which comprise the
imperial empire, Saxony ranks third in
military and commercial Importance; and
the aged King-he is now seventy years
old-helped with sword and men to make
this confederation of petty Kingdoms the
strong and glorious reality which today
is the pride of all Germans. Then, too.
King Albert is old. He may not live to
participate in another like celebration:
and the event will be made the occasion
of doing him honor, not only by Saxo-
ny, but by all Germany.
King Albert, the eldest son of King
Johann / and Queen Amalie, daughter
of King Macmillan !. OF Bavaria, was
born on April %, 1928. While Crown
Prince he served in the SchIeswig- Hol-
stein campaign of 1S49. under the Prus-
sian generel, De PritntZ. In 1853 he
was made a lieutenant general, and a
general in 1857. During the Austro-
Prussian war of 1866, he served as a
on the side of Austria. His bravery
and ability as a commanding officer
were brought into conspicuous promi-
nence at the battles of Muchengratez
Gitschin and KoenigsgraetZ, and piac-
ed fresh laurels on his brow. After
peace had been declared, and Saxony
was admitted to the North German
Union, he was given the command Of
the Twelfth Army Corps, which is made
of md he Let,
| of Saxony
King Albert. then Crown Prince, was
one of the fighting men of the Franco
| German war of 1870 He had command
| OF the Fourth Prussian Army, composed
| of the Prussian Guards. under Prince
Augustus of Wurtenberg; the Fourth
| Corps, made up of men from the Saxon
! Duchies of Weimar, Coburg. Gotha, AL
| lenburg and Meiningen and the Twelfth
| Corps Of his own Saxon troops soldiers
who had fought under his banners in
| 1866 in Bohemia against the army of Prus-
| sia.
1t was the heroic conduct of the Crown
Prince and his men al the battle of
| Gravelotte which brought about the sur
render of Sedan and Prince Albert re-
! celyed the commendation of Won Meltke
| himself for the part he played in the glo-
rious work. The French held almost inn
of ST. Privat near Gravelotte. Again and
/ again had the magnificent Prussfan
| Guards stormed the heights, but in vain.
| From every housetop, window and garden
wall the deadly cannon, mitrailleuses.
chassepots and bombshels poured their
murderous fire: and thinned the ranks OF
the charging Prussians until the conquest
of the heights seemed almost hopeless
Then came the Saxons under Crown
Prince Albert. Again the charge was
made with renewed courage by the Sax
ons and Prussians together. Every house
at Woerth was fortress; and every sor-
tress was stormed and captured by the
invincible soldiers of the Prince They
forced the brave French from wall tC
wall, from house to house farther and
farther back. Every ralying point was
made a new battlefield; and on every bat
tletield the Crown Prince was victorious
When Paris capitulated Prince Albert
returned TO Saxony. In July, 1871 he was
created field marshal of the empire anC
soon after received a like rank i'm the ar
my of Russia.
He succeeded to the throne on the death
OF his father, King Johann, October 70
1873 He was married to Caroline, daugh
ter of the late Prince Gustave de Wasa
or the 18th of June, 1883. The king has NJ
children to inherit the throne. and tbs
heir-presumptive is his brother Fiel(
Marshal Prince George.
The greater part of the long reign O
King Albert has been powerful and une
ventful. He has proved himself as ahi'
to rule a nation in time of peace as Il
lead armies on TO victorious batt!etields