Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-21
PRINCESS sALm sALM.'
,.n.s Leciercd's Career in War and in Peace

:, one of the finest residences on the
cahen,z- Strasse, in Bonn. dwells a
IMAM who crowded into one decade
'.nnahly more thrilling experiences
", any other woman now living. AS
.mnes I.eclercq. a famous beauty and
81, she flashed through the battle
.u,oke of our Civil War and emerged
:. the Princess Salm-Salm. Her ca
.aar in Mexcoa as the well-nigh success
ri rascuer of Macmillan stamped her
80 heroine, and this reputation she
..a,Jv sustained in her subsequent ca
cor as an army nurse in the Franco
pr,ss,au army. Agnes Leclercq is
,rown in many European courts as
zinc American princess. This is an
orror in common with many other
statements made in regard to this
r,uch-maligned yet brave woman. She
was born in Cuba, about sixty years
400 Her father. a wealthy French
c,.;zen of Havana, died leaving three
srrail daughters to the care of a near
,insman in New York. The sisters re-
ceived their education in New York.
Agnes. the brightest. prettiest and
r,osf dashing of the three, excelled in
literary studies and cquestrianism
uar nrediection for military matters
and her love of adventure brought her
toWashington at an early period of the
civil War Endowed With youth
haauty and ample means. she soon be-
came a recognized power in the mill
t,ry excitement and political jobbery
Of the time. She had many friends
among her own sex, and, though the
,ost unconventional woman in the
then motley population of the capital.
che enjoyed the respect of it's best Soc
ial element.
Nevertheless, unkind and untruthful
stories concerning her We're sometimes
whispered by those who were jealous
If her popularity. She was reputed to
have failed both as a circus rider and
n tight rope walker, and to have dis
carded several husbands. These state
ments were falsehoods. She was a
natron of the National hotel, then the
mos, fashionable hosiery in Washing
ION. and her favorite pastime was form
ing parties of friends to visit the camp
ing ground of the Army of the Poto-
mac. at Arlington. Her favorite attire
ON these excursions was rich, dark
riding habit, gilt buttoned and gold
braided. From her riding hat swept
three large black plumes, and her
mount was a huge black thoroughbred
with an incurable fondness for PROM
enading Pennsylvania avenue on hi;
hind feet Her perfect control of this
horse doubtless gave rise to the rumor
that his fair owner had once been a
circus rider. A diverted negro servant
usually accompanied her on her walks
and rides.
In the German corps of the Army of
the Potomac was a young officer who,
in company with many others, had left
Europe in search of adventures in the
American war. Felix. Salm-Salm was
younger son of the reigning house OF
AnhaH, which principaiity is now alb
sorbed in the North German Confed-
Grafton. He was bred as a soldier,
and served with distinction in the Hol-
stein campaign, but he was extraVa-
CANT in his tastes, and left Europe
deeply in debt. Shortly after receiving
from President Lincoln a COMMISSION as
volunteer officer in the Union Army
Prince Felix Salm-S alm, thirty-four
years old, became acquainted Win
Agnes Leclercu, and lost no time IN
prOposing marriage. The fascination
was mutual, and truer love match
never was made. They were married,
not secretly. hut quietly, by the Kew
LA. Walton, who died in Washington
three years ago. mourned by every
religious denomination in the city.
Father Walter, having learned beyond
1 legal
/ obstacle to the marriage. performed
the ceremony on August 30, 1867, IN ST.
4 Patrick's church.
Never was prince blessed with
more charming princess or more
! faithful spouse. Princess Salm-Salm 1oi-
! lowed her husbands military fortunes
sharing uncomplainingly the hard rad
ing and rough life of the campaigns ana
the peril of the battlefields Her APP
pearance at this time is thus descrlpeu
by Col Won Corvin. war correspondent
Of the London Times, who Witnessed
her marriage:
Her complexion had a mellow olive
tinge, and her hair was very plack'
She had smooth, rounded forehead
finely pencilled arched brows, and
ldiSt, IlSul-Di oN IL SS 60, A"'' - -
and fun. fine straight nose. ana
rather large mouth with full coral Ups
and a humorous expression she was
Of middle size. and gracefully Duff
With a small waist and phenomenails
small feet. She was as elastic as lndia
rubber. and, though frail looking was
very strong.
1t is noteworthy that but for ms
Wife Prince Salm- Saints military ca
reer in this country would have been
failure The beauty and grace or the
princess and her boundless tact anc
diplomacy made her all-poWer1ul "hei
she set about to accomplish anything
After she married the prince all hei
efforts were on his behalf. Al ths
close of the war he was brlgadler'
general. Of this circumstance sh'
wrote:
He had given me his name an'
made me princess, but notwithstahd
ing his name and rank he would nav
failed. after his first start, ana re
NAMED a colonel without regiment
involved as he was in the fate OF poo
Blenker. All his merit would nav
availed him little against the rancof o
stanton. I procured for nm liz