The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-15
,,wF,. BAzAINE's ROMANTIC, LIFE.
A. wife of the French Marshal-A
Career of Ups and Downs.

v-paT
pszaine died recently at a private hos
ritsl in the suburbs of the city of Mex
ico During the last thirty years she
+yice passed from one extreme of life
~ me other. Every experience from a
nalace to prison was hers. She was
,,,3ng the most brilliant fig
1lres at two great courts in
rwo great continents. Each time
She saw the throne about which the
oourt was gathered swept away, and each
lime the fortunes of herself and her hus-
hand went down in the ruins. Once they
were raised again to even grander nights
of power and influence, but the second
lime the wreck was complete, absolute
anal Instead of being first among the
couuselOrs of an emperor, her husband,
Marshal Bazaine, became a convicted
cr.linal, condemned to death, but finally
retrieved and sent to spend the remainder
Of his life in z castle dungeon. From this
living death he was rescued by the ngeuu-
inv and courage of his wife who fled with
hin into exile, and was his faithful help
mate until death came to end his ruined
career Surely no woman ever lived
more romantic life or gave stronger proofs
of that devotion which endures even unto
death.
In 1868 the Austrian Archduke Maxi
milan was seated on the throne of Mexico
H court was almost as splendid as those
of The monarchs of Europe, after which
il was modelled, and by which it was sup
ported. But already there were many in
dcatious of troubles ahead The reVolu-
uonists were gathering in the interior. The
ohurchmen were plotting in the capital
itself In this juncture Marshal Bazaine
a veteran French soldier of many wars in
Europe and Africa, was made commander
iu-chief of the armies of Macmillan. He
was already widOwer, having buried his
Young wife two years before his appoint
ment. In his new position he showed him
self a strong man. handling the compli-
Gated questions which arose with iirmness
and discretion. In personal appearance he
was a typical soldier, sturdy in figure and
martial in bearing, carrying his 81 years
like "A boy of %
one night in 1865 Emperor Macmillan
gave a grand ball a his palace. Marshal
Bazaine was foremost among the guests.
As he was passing in state through the
ballroom, a young Mexican girl, who had
been Waiting, tore the skirt of her lace
dress and stopped to repair it, The gallant
French soldier was the first to come 10
her rescue. When the rent had been
mended the young girl thanked the great
man and walked away with her partner.
Blu, Marshal Bazaine had for the second
time lost his heart.
who is this?" he asked of his attend
ants.
He was told that the young woman was
Nile. De la Pena, the daughter of an an
cient Mexican house. Then he excused
himself. followed her through the crowds
P-l begged the honor of an introduction.
Their courtshp was short. Bazaine was
a soldier, accustomed to taking fortresses
by storm Mile. De la Pena had all the
tropical warmth of nature. Their engage
ment was announced to the Emperor He
Ii T~1ls r-frarr has
the marriage of his commander-n-chieft to
q native Mexican would tend TO make his
rule more popular and his throne more
secure. When they were married the EN-
peror gave the young girl as her dowry
the palace of San Cosme, located in
beautiful suburb west of the capital city.
It was an imperial gift, for the build
ings and grounds We're valued at more
than 100000. The unfortunate Empress
CarlOtta gave the bride a magnificent
necklace Of diamonds.
The next two years were spent by Mar
shall Bazaine and his beautiful wife in
and about the court child was born
to them, and never was husband more
proud of wife and child than was the old
soldier Finally, the French army, I'M
der the pressure of the United States was
ordered to embark for home, leaving EN-
reror Macmillan 20 his fate. Marshal
Hazaine and his wife sailed with the fleet
on his arrival the Marshal was greeted
with a storm of reproaches. 1t was de
clared that he had played the part of
coward but through it all he retained the
confidence of his imperial master Napo-
leon III.
Then came the most brilliant part of the
career of the woman who died the other
day in Mexico. Her husband was made a
senator of France; he was placed in com
mand of the army corps stationed at
Nancy: later he emphasized the high value
which he placed upon his services. Napo
leon gave him chief commend of the inn
porial guards. Meanwhile the young Mex
lean girl was received with equal favor al
the gay court. Princes and dukes, mar
Uses. counts and berons were as plenti-
ful and as splendid as butterflies. Among
them Nine. lie Marechale took her place
as a grand dame. Daily she rode in her
gittering chariot through the magnificent
avenue Of the Champs Elysees, or in the
winding or shady aneys of the forest of
B7ulogne. Life was ell roses and sunshine
on the surface Though the day of humili
alton was near at hand.
The Franco-German war broke out.
Marshal BaZaine, now about 60 years ola.
was in command of the Third Army Corps.
ON Aug. 3, 1870. he took command of the
army of the Rhine though he afterward
claimed that ne did so reluctantly, and
only at the command of the Emperor.
his is not the place to follow the for
tunes of the war, though Nine. Bazaine.
one may be sure, did so with constantly
Increasing chagrin and fear. Finally came
tae fateful October day, when Marshal Ba-
zaine surrendered his great army to the
Germans. his entire command of lBWO
men marching out of Metz, leaving their
arms, and, 1T was afterward charged their
honor behind them
All manner of charges were made
against Bazaine. II developed that he had
held communication with Bismarck, and,
innocent or guilty this was declared to
be proof of his treachery. In 1873 he was
Uied by courtmartial convicted and con-
damned to death and military degrade
non. These were the days when Nine
bazaine, still young woman, suffered all
hat a woman may suffer But she still
retained absolute confidence in her hus-
hand, and did her best to comfort and
support him during the trial.
The judges who had condemned also
commended clemency, and President
MacMahon commuted the sentence to