New-York tribune., 1902-08-08
GALLIFFETS MEMORIES.
SOUVENIRS OF VICTOR EMMANUEL. THE
CAMPAIGN OF 1859, MEXICO AND
THE PARIS COMMUNE.
Paris. july 2S.

Paris. July IS
General de Galliffet's Souvenirs are not to
appear until after his death but the extracts
from them that the journal des Debats' and
"Gaulois' have been permitted to publish indi-
cate that the recollections and diary of the most
distinguished French general of our time will
fill place in the military literature of the Sec
ond Empire and of the Third Republic similar
to that Of the memoirs of Baron de Marriott in
a close observer of human nature and the keen
eye of the cavalry leader takes in at glance
not only the professional qualities of his su-
periors. but catches the most picturesque and
typical traits of the men and women with whom
he brought into contact
General de Galliffet as he himself declares,
makes no pretension to style" He has jotted
down what he saw, and has recorded his impress
sions in brief. terse graphic language without
form conventionality. General de Galliffet
would have been an ideal war correspondent
His descriptions are vivid, full of color and are
effectively conveyed in dialogue form. They
seem like the drawings of a Daumier or Of a
Leech.
Take. for instance, General de Galliffet's pen
and ink sketch of King Victor Emmanuel l. 1t
was in the campaign of 1850, just after the battle
of Solferino. Gallifet had been sent to deliver
a verbal message to King Victor Emmanuel
He looked in vain for the King all day, and at
last found him in the evening In a small inn.
His majesty was lying unclothed in a large
bed which dinner table covered
with the remains of the meal which the King
had partaken In company with his officers. He
says: "I saluted the King, all the more
spectfully, because of his nudity. Good even
ing, Craw Fish, said the King. 1t my red
Spahis tunic that ELECTED this amiable greeting.
hot hoe r pbaS yv{rH
a column of my army to Monza where the
Austrian general Urban had been delayed One
of your cavalry divisions had cut off his retreat
He really caught mapping with his six
thousand men. Your cavalry general COM
pIetey humbugged. Instead of summOning Ur-
ban to surrender. he entered into conversation
with him. Urban said Talk away and while
they talking he managed to withdraw
most of his troops Urban then said: I am
sorry 1 am not authorized to treat with you'
and went away himself with the remainder of
his division. Gracious, What talker your
cavalry general was He real parliament
tary general! Tell ali that to your emperor.
Tell him it was not my fault My troops are
worn out and need two days rest. l intend 20
remain with them here where there are two re-
markably pretty women, one of whom l shall
talk with tonight, and 1 propose to converse
with the other one tomorrow night. Don't for
get to tell the emperor! Good night, Craw
Fish,"
Sprightly anecdotes in the same colloquial vein
are narrated by General Galliffet in connection
with the Mexican War. and with the Commune
of 1S71-he is reserving his experiences Of the
war with Germany for the final publication
after his death. The souveniers Of Theirs are
not fattering General Galliffet accuses him of
constantly changing his plans, as Issuing orders
and countermands almost in the same breath.
Commune March %. NJ. Theirs sent for me
several times during the day. 1 explained 10
him that the Federalists spent the night drink
ing and slept during the daytime. and that it
would be quite possible to make dash with
half a dozen good squadrons of cavalry and
capture the Hotel de Vile. while the infantry
followed up and took positions at the Trocadero.
I offered to execute the movement. but NJ. Theirs
would not listen to IT. He said mad and
would upset all his plans. On the morn |
ing of April 1 1 started from Saint-Germain |
with two squadrons OF cavalry. 1 sent one |
squadron to Courtevoie. and with the other |
squadron l marched toward the Avenue de |
NeuilIy and came across a battalion OF Fed |
eralists al a distance OF three hundred yards :
halted my squadron. and. accompanied by my |
officers Count Albert de Nun, Bernard d'Har-
court and Bellomayre, 1 rode up to the battalion |
giving the command L'arme au piedi ground !
arms.' 1 passed between the ranks. 1 was sur |
rounded by with jovial countenances. well /
fed and evidently well supplied with wine. I |
talked with them. and. finding them in good |
humOr. chatted with them, with view of as
their condition. I come from NJ.
Thiers l said.
THE Federalists-Down with Thiers,
He doesn't want to attack you to-day.
The Federallsts-Oh. let him come.
IF find you here tomorrow under arms
certainly shall attack you.
The Federalists Gin very good humor)-That
would not be very nice Of you.
" "'Goodby,' said and hope 1 shall not have
The pleasure of meeting you again
They opened their ranks very politely and
ct me rejoin my squadron.
Il returned to Versailles and related the re-
suits of my mission TO NJ Theirs. who seemed
disappointed to find that he was so unpopular"
General de Galliffet's irritation is aroused
n the Crimea. in Italy, in Mexico and during the
Commune to find that many officers in high
Command We're "old and fat" He saws that
'e remembered that when Minister of War in
S99-1900. he made great efforts to rejuvenate
he higher grades by forcbly retiring the "old
md fat generals" The Galliffet souvenirs are
having a success in their serial form and SUD-
y valuable historical data. They are decidedly
worth reading CIR