Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-03
Notices of New books.

Story Of Many Wars. BY Edward
Lyman Bill. Il. Tennyson Nicely, pub
| Usher: London and New York. 1885
Pages, 1863. Cloth and gilt. Price, $l.25
This story adopts the tradition that the
renowned Marshal Ney was not really
executed in France, but allowed to es
cape to the United States, where, under an
assumed name, he lived a good many
years, became teacher, and married
Every now and then the newspapers re-
vive this tradition, in forms somewhat
different. The most thorough discussion
OF it was given by Dr. William Gilmore
Simms, in the Southern Literary Mes
senger, about the year 1916. Our recol
lection is that he placed the great Ma
poleonic warrior in Caroline and m3d'
him continue his career Of soldier under
the name Michael Rudolph.
The author before us places him in the
mountains of Virginia, where he became
a teacher, and had to check his warlikt
propensities and stop the display of his
superior skill with the sword for feai
of being discovered.
His only son was kept in ignorance OF
his parentage, and sent off TO New Or
leans and Paris TO be educated. But
when the late war between the States
broke out, he FASTENED home, with an
intimate friend from the North, whose
family he visited, and whose sister he
fell in love with. He adhered to his
determination to espouse the cause OF the
Southern Confederacy, and made such
a record that he was rapidly promoted.
Whilst engaged in active service, he was
informed by a supposed uncle of a part
OF his history, and assured that his origin
was highly honorable; but full informa-
ton as to his parentage was kept back
until the death of this uncle, who had
made provision for his then learning 1t.
His friend and his friends father were
in the Union army, and he encountered
them I'm holly contested battle, in
which he believed he had slain his friend,
whose body, however, could not be found.
The father was severely wounded and
taken prisoner. His daughter was al
lowed to come to Richmond TO nurse
him. Neys son (still unknown as sucn
was also in Richmond, on furlougn, and
met the father and daughter. He made
an occasion for ascertaining what hcr
feeling would be towards the man VINO.
in fair and open fight, might have
killed her brother. She took the SEN
sible view that, however deplorable, 1t
would be the sad fate OF war, and not
the outcome Of crime. This relieved
his burdened heart, though he could not
help still grieving over the death of his
friend by his own hand. He returned to
his military duties, which he admirably
discharged until the dreadful closing
scenes at Appomattox.
He went with his faithful colored valet
to his deceased uncle's mountain home,
and there found the deposit which had
been stored away for him. 1t not only
contained valuable jewels and other
treasures, but a full account of his
parentage and vindication OF the true
loyalty of Ney, whose valiant son had
been accustomed to denounce him even
to his own supposed uncle, as traitor
and Justly condemned.
But very soon after he had come into
the possession Of this long-coveted intel
ligence. his papers and treasures were
destroyed by fire.
Still, he managed TO get TO Paris, and.
under the auspices of warm friend
of his fathers and himself, he was en-
abled to approach Louis Napoleon favor
ably. But that willy Emperor was afraid
10 acknowledge all his claims, the main
evidence of which had been burned up
in Virginia, and offered him high posi-
ton under Macmillan in Mexico, which
he accepted.
The brother Of the hero's fiancee had
not been killed, and now, with bound
ing heart, the young southerner led her
TO the altar. He Joined Macmillan in
Mexico. and fell and was executed with
him. He left "the sword OF the Pyra-
mids" TO one of the high Mexican Of
fcials. This sword had been presented
to his father by the first Napoleon after
the famous battle of the Pyramids. 1t
had had a history of four centuries, and
was always fatal TO its owner, Marshal
Ney was once losing a battle, and
making unsuccessful onsets upon the
enemy when he found that he was not
wearing his historic sword. He sent for
IT, buckled it around him, renewed his
attack. and turned threatened defeat into
The whole story is an exciting one, and
very well related.
"THE 'sS KALEIDOSCOPE" Published
by the students of Hampden-Sidney
College.
This beautifully bound and tastefully-
printed volume of over 200 pages is the |
sixth of the ANNALS published oy the
students of Hampden-Sidney College. II
Is artistic and interesting from cover TO
cover, and contains much valuable mat |
ter. The Kaleidoscope is replete with |
handsome photograyures-in fact. 1t looks |
as if every student of the institution is |
represented in its picture gallery-and |
the historical articles are of a high |
order. Even the most casual reader can |
see that Hampton Sidney College is dear |
10 her sons, and that they glory in her |
traditions. her past. ana her present. |
Many interesting "reminiscences are pub
ished. and the history of the institution |
S brought almost up to the closing hours |
IF the past session. There is something
healthy and enthusing in this love OF |