Chapter I: Front Matter

_Life Stories for Young People_

PRINCE EUGENE
THE NOBLE KNIGHT

_Translated from the German of
L. Würdig_

BY
GEORGE P. UPTON

_Author of “Musical Memories,” “Standard Operas,” etc.
Translator of “Memories,” “Immensee,” etc._

WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS

CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1910

Copyright
A. C. McClurg & Co.
1910
Published September 24, 1910

THE PLIMPTON PRESS
[W · D · O]
NORWOOD · MASS · U · S · A

Translator’s Preface

The story of the brilliant career of Eugene, generally known as Prince Eugene of Savoy, has its special lesson for youth. He was intended for the Church, but was ambitious for a military career. Louis the Fourteenth had marked out for him the profession of an _abbé_; but monarchs, even the most powerful, do not always dispose. When “the little Capuchin,” as he was contemptuously called, applied to that sovereign for a commission in the French army and was refused it, he shook the French dust from his feet and went to Austria, resolved that France some day should suffer for that refusal. The story shows how his resolution was carried out. The Austrian Emperor gladly welcomed him. He rose from a subordinate position in the army to become one of the greatest generals of his time. All Europe felt the strength of the “little Capuchin’s” arm. He was a born soldier and war was the passion of his life. His career, seems almost like an inspiration. He won battles, often against largely superior forces, by the rapidity and dash of his attacks, by a personal courage which never wavered, and by a magnetic influence which inspired the admiration of his own soldiers and fear among his enemies. He was in the field more than fifty years. The ten peaceful years of his life were devoted to literature and the arts; but the battle-field was the scene of his life’s success. The story which his life has for youth is the result which may be accomplished, not merely on battle-fields, but in every department of action, by determined purpose, resolute will, and tireless industry. The “little Capuchin” spurned the ease and comfort and luxury of an _abbé_ for the rough fare of the soldier, and made himself the foremost general of his time by the exercise of these qualities.

G. P. U.

Chicago, _July, 1910_.

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE
Prologue xi
I The Little Capuchin 13
II The Siege of Vienna 27
III Turkish Campaigns 37
IV The Battle of Zenta 48
V War of the Spanish Succession 57
VI Blenheim 79
VII The Italian Campaign 93
VIII Malplaquet 101
IX Eugene at Belgrade 115
X Last Days 129
Appendix 145

Illustrations

The Hero of Zenta _Frontispiece_
Prince Eugene before King Louis the Fourteenth 22
Prince Eugene before the battle of Malplaquet 112
Prince Eugene at Belgrade 124

Prologue

Prince Eugene, the great warrior and statesman, although scion of an Italian family, and by birth a Frenchman, became a thorough German. He appeared at a critical time in the relations between Germany and France, to save his adopted fatherland from destruction, and to illuminate the darkest period of German history with the glory of a series of the most splendid and heroic achievements. The historian Von Sybel calls him “the greatest general and statesman of Austria.” As a statesman he overtops the greatest of his successors, Kaunitz and Stadion. As a general he fills a place, chronologically and in rank, just between Gustavus Adolphus and Frederick the Great. He was a dashing hero and at the same time possessed a sympathetic nature. He was a genial companion, a conscientious patriot, a master in politics, and an upright man. Wherever he appeared he charmed. Although a born Frenchman of Italian stock, he showed truer German feeling and spirit than most of the Austrian leaders. He was one of those characters whom any nation might be proud to possess. He served the Austrian imperial house for fifty-three years, thereby contributing to the glory of the country.

Prince Eugene, The Noble Knight