New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-23

founded in 1893 by Louis XIV as a reward
for feats Of conspicuous bravery on the
battlefield | am careful TO mention that
the general Cwhose widow was a Miss
Polk Of Nashville. Tenn, granddaughter
of Bishop Polk and whose son, Tony de
Charlotte married the daughter Of James
W Henning Of Kentucky and New York;
was a wearer. and not a knight. Of the
order OF st. Louis. There is a curious
story connected with this Of which few
save those belonging 10 the inner circle OF
the royalist party in France are aware.
The Order OF ST. Louis. to which several
of George Washington's French compan-
ions in arms belonged, has never been con-
ferred by an actually reigning sovereign Of
France since Charles X great-grandfather
Of the late General Baron &c Charrette,
was compelled to abdicate in 1880 and was
driven into exile The last actual chevaiier
of the order died about twenty years ago
at a very advanced age. He had won it
while serving under the Due d'Angouleme,
in spain
With regard TO the late General Baron
de Charlotte he distinguished himself by
feats Of heroism in the Papal army. in the
years of conflict that preceded the loss II
the temporal power Of the Popes and won
still further fame during the Franco-Ger-
man War of 1870. during which he COM
manded a force Of Bretons and Vendeans
which did splendid service against the Ger
mans, first with the Army of the East. then
AT the battle of Patay. where he was badly
wounded. and on his recovery with the
Army Ct the Loire, winning successfully
the Cross OF the Legion Of Honor and then
that Of officer of the legion, on the battle
field as we'll as the rank Of general
He was not. however satisfied with these
rewards a royalist TO the core. as be-
fitted a soldier Of his family traditions. ne
was anxious for some recognition on the
part Of the one whom he considered as
alone entitled TO accord il In the name Of
France; that is TO say. his Roy" He
therefore peutioned the Comte de Cham
bord Gn whose favor Charles Y had alb
dicated in 1880 and who had regned for
twenty-four hours over France in his in
fancy as Henry W &c bestow upon him
the Cross Of St. Louis. Devoted as was
the Conete de Chambord 10 General de
Charrette, he demurred at bestowing an
order while debarred from exercising any
other sovereign prerogauve and while mere
~ an exile. Moreover, he intlInated TO De
Charrette that he considered II would be
mpOlitiC in the extreme 10 revive the grand
old Orde~ of ST. Louis. as long as no
restoration Of the House OF Bourbon TO
the throne Of France had taken place.
After the death of the Comte de Chambord
and the transmission Of his rights TO his
kinsman. the late Comte de Paris, Cen
eral de Charrette addressed himself to the
latter with a similar request, but the Comte
dc Paris was even still more reluctant to
consider the matter In fact, he would not
hear of it. although he held General de
Charlotte in great affection.
Finally, after the death Of the Comte de
Paris De Charrette applied 10 his son and
successor. the present Due dOrleans. The
duke tried 10 reason with the veteran,
pointing out the ,mpossibihty OF his reviv-
Ing. as a pTetender, the Order Of St. Louis
for the benefit OF the general. He at last,
by way of appeasing the old soldier, made
him a present Of the only Cross Of st. Louis
in his possession namely, the one which
had been worn by his ancestor, Philippe
"Egaute." Due Orleans. II was that tar
nished cross. with its faded ribbon, thar
the old general used TO wear on his even
ing dress coat on all ceremonial occasions.
MARQUISE DE FONTENOI.