MACMAHON'S ATTACK ON THE MALAKOFF.

Kumara Times, Issue 418, 28 January 1878, Page 4

MACMAHON'S ATTACK ON THE MALAKOFF.

. "Few people who read or speak of IVlarshal MacMahon are acquainted with /the details of the capture of the Malakoff, which is considered one of the noblest and bravest deeds in the long and brilliant' military career of the 'President of the French Republic. The following, taken from the French of IPanl Estienne, will be found interesting:.— (."■Theappointed horcr of attack approached. The General-in-Chief had selected the Brandon (redoubt as his post of observation, and around him were grouped General Niel, Gflheral "Thfewyi General Martanirnprey, and a •brilliant and numerous staff. "General Bosquet! had taken up his position in the sixth parallel, which, though greatly •exposed;- and exceedingly dangerous, was a splendid, vantage ground of observation. At the head of the first , brigade, and as close as. it was possible i» approach to the.outworks of the Malakoff, B%oqd General MacMahon. IHis right.hand grasped his sword hilt, Tybile ip/his left he held his watch, and with head bent and eyes fixed, the •General calmly awaited the final ■moment. The few minutes preceding the hour were most solemn. Not a sound nor a whisper disturbed the fatal -silence. The troops were huddled in the trenches,, and : the advance guards -were7(reclining within eight yards from iihe Malakoff; The Zouaves and the Legionaries were in front, and their -eyes were steadfastly; fixed upon their General, awaiting but his look to rush iforward; The time was fixed at twelve, and for few seconds every (breach was stilled, and MacMahon's intensity pf calmness was supreme. The GeiTerari watch was consigned to his breast-pocket,'arid in an instant after, 3his,eye had run along the whole lino, swf»*d gleamed in the air, and at the same moment the bugles sounded " The Ohfcrge;" Eveiy month cried "enavant," cry Was re-echoed from rank to rank and from" front to rear. The .'Zouaves, .with MacMahon at their head, reached tfae /baseband some climbing by ladders, : sottie mounting back over back,- £lsothers reaching the parapet, riobnekne w how, the French entered «fche fori The Russians- poured musisetryishbt 1 atid cannon shot into those onward rushing lines, but despite «bot'-and- repeated bayonet charges, GenemljMacJ([ahon jhekl, his own, and the Rusaahs .fell before the headlong charge of ; and Legionaries. that. \ 'the -Malakoff was the Tjjj«v' the Russians poured devoted, troops of Mac^ahpn. !r the fort the confiict'was; terrible, iut MacMahon was »terJi,:*nd his only . order was "en

it'was that* the JJW S-uXlfisks* 'M& ■ Marshal Ifelissier, tikat <(3ie <adds were-too great against de,«p*kfc^;an; jafl'do-Oftmp, jbegging ; the Generakteonake bis.«seapafrom so dangeroas *nd sp exposed a position. " I'm '■ seW*idhHre l*sm&fjaj' #as th«i dry' The Russian 1 General determined on one ■mre effort to regain the Malakoff. A

storm of grapeshot and shell was poured in, and was succeeded by bayonet charges of the best and bravest of the Russian troops. Twenty times repulsed, twenty times did the Russians return to the charge. The bravest generals fell at the head of their columns. The Zouaves of the Imperial Guard, and the Brigade of General Douay, were sent to reinforce Mac- | Mahon. The Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard, headed by Colonel Bretteville, and General Wimoffen's Brigade, were next sent to bis assistance. The Russians fought with more than bravery—they fought as fights a forlorn hope. As line after line was broken and scattered, still they came on, in black masses, and hurled themselves against the French ranks. Marshal Pelissier grew terrified and nervous as to the result, and he despatched aid-de-camp after aid-de-camp, begging MacMahon to relinquish the dangerous post, and to save his life. Wearied with such orders, MacMahon at length replied with impatience, " Qae le diable—am I not master of my own skin ? I have taken the place, and I'll keep it." The Malakoff was taken after a terrible loss of life, but it secured the success of the war. During the murderous struggle MacMahon was ever in the front, led charge after charge, and," when the victory was assured, was heard to say, " Well, now, perhaps they won't ask me to leave it." For this act of bravery and heroism MacMahon was named to the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.—The Harp.