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Friday, December 21, 2012

Princess Salm-Salm has died



December 21, 1912

The American-born Princess Agnes zu Salm-Salm has died.  The New York Times notes that her death has "brought to an end a most romantic career."  The daughter of an American Colonel, Agnes Leclercq was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on Christmas Day, 1840.

As a young woman, she gained minimal fame as an actress.  She became a member of Washington, D.C.'s, social and political circles.  In 1862,  Agnes married Prince Felix zu Salm-Salm, a soldier of fortune.  He had served in the German and Austrian armies before coming to the United States to join the Union Army, where he rose to the rank of Brigadier General.

After the end of the Civil War, Prince Felix headed to Mexico and became the aide-de-camp to Emperor Maximilian.  Prince Felix was imprisoned, and he was freed with the assistance of his wife.   After he was freed,  Prince Felix returned to Germany, accompanied by his wife.  

When war broke out in 1870,  Prince Felix joined the Prussian army.  He was killed in the battle of Gravelotte.

Princess Agnes accompanied her husband "throughout all his campaigns."   During the Franco-Prussian war, she served as a hospital nurse and received the Iron Cross for bravery.

Six years after the death of Prince Felix, Agness married Charles Heneage.

Princess Agnes did not have any children.

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/04/princess-zu-salm-salm-returns-to-usa.html

http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2009/05/no-amerocan-brides-for-salm-counts.html

http://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2011/04/read-more-about-it-agness-princess-zu.html



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