VON MOLTKE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2617, 20 April 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

VON MOLTKE.

Count Vox Moltke, who was borne in 1800, has just celebrated the 70th anniver sary of his entering the Prussian army. The Count is a widower and as no children. He was happily married for 2S years to a lady named Burt, who died in 18G8. His daily life at his home estate at Kreisau is very simple. He rises at au early hour, takes a, long walk and then works till noon. He seldorn smokes after his plain dinner, snuff being the form in which, like Frederick the Great, ho most enjoys tobacco. When he is at work his snuff-box is always close at hand In the afternoon he pays or receives visits. Iu the evening he likes to play whist with his nephew, Captain Von Aloltke, and other friends. Even during tho French war he was accustomed to play whist when possible, and his adjutant, Colonel De Clear, had to provide suitable players. The officers of the general staff would report the news to him as he sat playing, and when his turn came to go out of the game, he would follow the reported movements of the enemy ou a map spread out in the next room, and plan with mathematical precision the counter-movements. Thus, on the 23th of Augus, IS7O, the reports of Macmahon's march to the Mouse found Field Marshal Von Moltke at whist Report after report made the enemy's intention clearer to him, and lata in the evening he went to the King, and told him that the army must march, not to Paris as had been intended, but to the Meuse. This important resolution, so swiftly taken, which led to the great victory at Sedan, is the best proof of how quickly the Field Marshal could grasp a completely altered situation, and act, accordingly.