The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-24

ffIM-fifS CHARACTER I{KAk ft'
Al JENA WFI 2. RETREAT oF TU
GRAND ARMY FROM Rt ~SIA-NE'
COMMANDS TIE REAR GUAllD.
Michel Ncy was born in tao. in Tn
town uf Sarre Louis. lie WIS the son of
COOPER and at thc age of thirteen, becam
notary of the village. But the stiIrIni
events passing around him. inflamed hii
youthful imagination, and four years alte
he entered the army as Al husSaT, AN,
commenced his military career.
| do not design To follow him through al
his history. but select out those acts which
illustrate the great and striking qualities
he possessed. His air and bearing stamp
ed him. at an early age, as a soldier, and
made him from the first great favorite III
his corps.
Being selected by his regiment to chal-
lenge the fencing master of another, foT
some real or supposed insult. he gladly
undertook the commission. The day was
appointed TO settle the difficulty and the
cOmbatants met, but lust as they had
crossed their sabers, they were arrested
by their respective officers and thrown
into prison.
AS soon however, as young Ney was re-
leased, he renewed the quarrel, and hav-
ing met his antagonist IN secret place,
where they would not he disturbed fought
and wounded him in the hand so that he
was unable 20 practice his profession, and
was consequently reduced to poverty. But
Ney did not forget him in the day of his
greatness, and settled Oh the poor fencing
master n pension for life.
In 1872 Ney was promoted for his bravery
and skill. anu the next year, being then
"a years of age, was presented with COM
pany. General Kleber having noticed his
admirable qualities, placed him at the
head OF q corps composed of 200 partIsanS,
who received no pay and lived on plumber.
DANGEROUS EMPLOYMENT.
IT was their duty to reconnoitre the
enemy S position, and cut of their con-
voys which exposed them TO many hair
breadth escapes, and fierce encounters.
Young Ney being resolved on promotion,
brought TO this perilous service all his
mental and physical powers. His iron
will seemed 10 compensate for the loss of
sleep, and food, and rest. Daunted by no
danger, exhausted by no toll, caught by
no stratagem, he acquired al the head Of
this bold hand of warriors the title of The
interchangeable
Three years after he found occasion to
distinguish himself in the engagements of
Dierdorf, Altenliirchen, and Montahour.
With 100 cavalry he took : eco prisoners
and obtained possession oil Nurtzturg.
He led two columns straight into the river,
and forcing the opposite hanks, though
lined with cannon, made himself master OF
FOrSheim
Tcf these exploits he was appointed
General of Brigade. At the battle of Neu
wied he had command of the cavalry, and
in d furious charge passed entirely through
the Austrian lines; but being surrounded
by a superior force he was compelled 10
retreat.
The enemy, however closed on him with
such numbers and imDetuosity, that his
ranks were broken through. and he and
his stced overtllrown together. While he
lay entanglcd under his horse six Dragons
made at him. against whom he defended
himself with his usual daring, and finally
sprung To- his feet and laid about with his
saber till il snapped in two. leaving but
the stump in his hand. With this he con-
Hnued io keep his astonished antagonists
ht bay, till company OF 20 horSemen COM
Ing up, they succeeded in capturing him.
EXAMPLE OF WORKMANSHIP.
Taken TO headquarters, he was one day
strolling through the camp, when he saw
several officers standing around his good
battle steed, admiring his fine proportions
and high spirit, yet utterly unable to man
age him. The moment one undertook 10
mount his back, he reared and plunged SO
wildly, that the ventureSome rider was
glad to find himself safe on the ground
again.
Ney stepped up, and remarking that
they did not know how to manage his
horse, politely asked permission To mount
him. II being given, he vaulted to the
saddle, when the noble animal conscious
pf bearing his master, stepped proudly
Away.
After making one or two circular sweeps,
he darted of in a straight line, and
stretched across the plain in a gallop that
Dutstrippcd the wind. As he continued TO
flee on in that headlong speed they began
10 fear he would attempt TO escape, and
Immediately mounted in pursuit, when
Ney wheeled and with a smile rode back to |
his captors.
Having been liberated by exchange. he |
Was raised TO the rank OF General of Di- |
vision. For awhile, after the peace of |
Leoben he remained in Paris but the |
commencement Of hostilities in 1893, found
him again i'm the field Of battle, struggling |
with the allied forces on the banks OF the |
Rhine. Here occurred one OF those ad- |
ventures that belong rather to the period Of
romance, than to the practical history Of
Dur times.
The Kline flowed between him and the
City Of Mannheim, which was strongly gar
risoned and filed with stores Of every kind. |
1t was a matter Of much discussion how
this key Of Germany should be captured, |
and the Generals Of the army met in fire.
quent consultation on the proper mode OF
attacking il.
Ney, in the meantime thinking il could
be better taken by surprise, resolved TO
visit it i'm disguise and ascertain its weak
points; Sc, one evening, assuming the garb
III d peasant, I1c tIlt CITY, anu,
after satisfying himself as to the best plan
of attack, returned. Selecting a hundred
and fifty brave men, he recrossed the river
at eight in the evening, and at ii made a
furious assault on the ouiposts.
A portion OF the garrison having made n
sally, he repulsed them, and following
hard after the fugitives, entered the town
with them, and after short but desperate
engagement captured it. This fixed his
rising fame; while at Worms and Franken-
thai, and Frankfort and Stuttgardt, and
Zurich, he maintained the character he
had gained.
his MARRIAGE.
In 1902 he returned 10 Paris, as Inspector
General oil Cavalry, and there married
Mademoiselle Augne, an intimate friend of
Honense Beauharnais. Bonaparte pre-
scented him at the nuptials with a mag
nificent Egyptian saber, which eventually
cost the bold Marshal his life
In 1893, he was sent as Minister Pleni-
potentiary into Switzerland, where he ex-
hibited those higher qualities Of Justice
and kindness so uniformly, that the Swiss
Cantons presented him with Il medal on
his departure.
The next year Bonaparte made him a
Marshal. The year following this, he was
created Duke oil Elchingen, in honor of the
battle he there fought In this engage
ment he exposed himself so recklessly.
that JOmini says OF him, he seemed 10
court DEATH
Dressed in full uniform, he marched at
the head OF his divisions along streets
completely swept by grapesho;; and though