The Harrison times., 1916-06-03
IDOL OF SOLDIERS
AGED Count Is Rea! Commander
at Verdun.
Count Won HaeseIer, Eighty Years
Old, Is Adviser to Crown Prince
Many Stories Are Told Of
Grizzed Old Warrior.

Berlin.-Field Marshal Count Won
Haeseler, eighty years old, but sitting
his horse as straight as an arrow, ls
the adviser of the crown prince and
the real commander at Verdun.
The bronzed and grizzled warrior
is the idol of his soldiers. He is
veteran indeed, for he fought through
out the wars of 1864, 1868 and 1870.
Despite his age Count Won Haeseler
is one of the most modern and un-
doubtedly one of the most important
of German generals. He is held up
to the soldiers as an example Of the
true Spartan.
On horseback-riding is the aged
generals favorite spOrt-he presents
a striking picture. He sits as straight
as the youngest recruit and his smooth
shaved, wrinkled, but rosy checked
face, contrasts singularly with his
flowing snow white hair.
A great fund of stories has been
built up on Count Won Haeseler. The
most famous of the anecdotes told
about him is that of the time when
he fooled the kaiser" as one can hear
German schoolboys tell.
1t was during the regular kaiser
maneuyers in May, some twenty years
ago. The emperor made bet that
he would capture the count. He was
the commander in chief Of the reds,
while Count Won Haeseler, comman-
dant of the fortress of Metz, was the
leader Of the blues defending the
heights of the Fort Kaiserin against
the kaiser's forces.
Suddenly "Exzellenz Gottlieb' was
heard to mutter between his teeth;
= "Donnerwetter! What's the idea of
that foolhardy cavalry reconnois-
sance? These fellows seem to be af-
ter me"
The general staff officer to whom
the count had spoken galloped with
half column of cavalry after the re-
connoitering party. The horse of the
last man stumbled and threw his rid
er. The general staff officer had a
talk with him, then dashed back to
his commander.
Count Won Haeseler thus learned the
object Of the reconnaissance. After
brief explanation his whole staff
rode forward, forming a semicircle
around the count, directly toward Fort
Leipzig, Immediately in front Of the
advancing enemy. There Count Won
Haeseler unobservedly left the staff. A
few minutes later there rolled out Of
the forts gate a wagon IN which were
piled straw and old sacks 1t passed
closely by the kaiser and stopped a
few steps behind him.
Gentlemen" said the emperor az
this juncture. 81 believe we have now
surrounded Count Won Haeseler | am
anxious to capture his person. Allons,
ahead!"
And the kaisers suite galloped
away.
The count crawled from under the
sacks and climbed out Of the wagon,
to the great amusement OF the troops
camping around it.
What are these troops doing?' he
asked the general In command. BY
order Of his majesty put out Of ac'
tion!" was the answer.
The count gave hearty'augh
General" said he, upon my re-
sponsibilty, attack the red army
from the rear. No contradiction,
please, l am responsible!'N
Count Won Haesoler being Of supe-
rior rank, the officer Of the "opposing"
army had only to obey
A few minutes later the astonished
emperor heard the signal OF retreat
at his back At the same moment the
blue" army moved forward and the
emperor found himself in such trap
that he had the bugle blow "Das game
halt"
nns NJ ths UNobln 600u Dies