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CHAPTER I
POSTERITY,
as well as the present age, will doubtless be curious to know something of the biography of that consummate warrior, Field-Marshal Prince Blucher of Wahlstatt, 1 one of the greatest captains of his time, and whose reputation in military exploits can scarcely be equalled in any period of ancient or modern history.His character is marked by a combination of rare qualities, great frankness of manner, and a popular freedom of speech, which I have gained him the unbounded coufidence and love of his soldiers, whom, on all occasions, he calls his children, and who never speak of him, but by the appellation of father. A firmness and decision in the hour of danger, rank him with the first commanders in the world.
In the heat of battle, in the tumult of an important onset, when leading his troops to an attack, his courage, intrepidity, and presence of mind are conspicuous. His voice always cheers the resolute, and his example animates the wavering and tardy. But nothing concurred so much to raise our hero to that pinnacle of glory which he has attained, as that singularly intuitive penetration and forcsight which he displays, in counteracting, the deep-laid designs and manoeuvres of the enemy in the field. No movement of his adversary seems to escape his eagle-eyed precaution, and his determination is at all times as rapidly formed, as his consequent orders are executed. No distance seems too great, no impediments insurmountable, for his military genius, and the devotedness, discipline, and resolution of his troops.
His discretion, prudence, and calmness, even in the hour of victory, are so happily blended with vigorous measures, that, from their combination, the happiest results are derived on all occasions, so as to preserve his conquests, and secure the full harvest of the heroic deeds of his gallant army. After the lapse of centuries, our veteran's character will, no doubt, still afford a constant theme of admiration, and be held up as a perfect model for imitation.
The illustrious subject of these memoirs, Gebhardt Leberecht von Blucher, is a descendant of a very ancient and noble family, whose barony is situated in the dutchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin He was born at Rostock, in that dutchy, on the 16th of December, 1742, being the youngest of six brothers. His father was a Captain of Dragoons, in the service of the Elector of Hessen-Cassel.
During the memorable war carried on and against, Frederick the Great of Prussia, known throughout Germany by the name of the Seven Years War, his parents (then residing at Rastow, in Mecklenburg-Schwerin), who were fearful of his safety amid the scenes of plunder and devastation that daily occurred, sent him with an elder brother, Ulrich Siegfried Blucher, to their son-in-law, Captain von Krackwitz, in the island of Rugen, near Stralsund, as a place less exposed to the horrors of war. He was at this period about twelve years of age. Four of his brothers were already serving in the Prussian, Russian, and Danish armies. 2
The Swedish Hussars, quartered in the islands, attracted his notice so powerfully, and gave
such a bias in his youthful inclinations, that his mind became dazzled with military glory, and,
notwithstanding the earnest remonstrances of his sister and brother-in-law, to whom he expressed his desire of entering as Cadet into the Swedish regiment of Hussars, he soon after secretly left their house, and offered himself to the Captain of a squadron, then in quarters in the
neighbourhood.
This officer, however, happened to know von Krackwitz, and he sent him notice of his
brother-in-law's intentions; young Blucher was accordingly summoned home again, and every argument was employed to persuade him to wait at least a few years before he executed his project; but all was in vain:
In consequence, he commenced his military career, as Cadet, in the present Swedish regiment of Morner Hussars, and he first drew his sword upon an enemy, in combating that very Prussian regiment of Black or Death's Head Hussars which he was afterwards destined to command.
Gebhardt Leberecht von Blucher, in his second campaign as Cadet in the Morner Hussars, being with his regiment at the outposts, was sent by the commanding officer with a detachment of ten men, to occupy an advanced post, with express orders, should he be menaced by an attack from the B1ack Hussars of the enemy, to fall back, but, that he might depend upon having a squaclron ready at hand to support him, if necessary. Twenty-four hours elapsed without any enemy showing himself.
By break of day, however, a videt reported to the Cadet von Blucher, that some movements of the enemy were observable in the woods opposite his post, and that he presumed an attack was meditated. Our young officer rode forward at the head of his men, to have a nearer view of the
wood, which he scarcely had in sight, before an enemy's troop rushed at full gallop out of it. Blucher was too weak to attempt any opposition, and, therefore, obliged to make good his retreat, and, if possible, to join the support which had been promised him, or at least to fall
in with his own troop, from which he had been detached; but that had already retreated, as well as the support.
He was briskly pursued by the enemy, and, after having had his horse shot under him, he fell into the hands of the Prussian Black Hussars; a private of which corps, Martin Krause by name, having ridden up to him, when fallen with his horse, and taken him prisoner. The skirmish of the day having terminated to the advantage of the Prussians under Colonel von Belling, and the squadrons that had been in action having been called over, the prisoners and booty were collected, and the former brought before the Colonel.
The very juvenile appearance of Blucher particularly struck Colonel von Belling: he asked
him his name, who was his father, how long he had served, and other questions of the like import. The frank and ingenuous answers of Blucher excited the admiration and wonder of the by-standers, and quite won the heart of the Colonel, who from that moment sought to gain the coofidence and fiiendship of his youthful prisoner. His first step was to keep him about his person previously accepting his proffered word of honour, not to leave him, on any pretence whatever, until he was regularly exchanged. A year nearly elapsed in this manner, during which time Blucher was often persuaded to enter the Prussian service; but he always
replied to every overture made to him,
The remonstrances which his father at this period made to him, did not a little tend to strengthen him in his resolution. A veteran Captain of the Hussars, likewise, took some pains to instil into the mind of young Blucher those principles of honour which are the brightest
ornament to the character of an officer. In fine, every one that saw him with Colonel Belling felt interested in his welfare; and his affability insensibly procured him the goodwill and friendship of all around him.
MO Colonel von Belling, continued to act towards Blucher as an indulgent father, and was often heard to say,
Blucher himself often mentions, that to the attentions and directions of his patron, and the
veteran Captain von Pulscharbi, his early knowledge of the theory of military affairs is wholly owing. His gratitude towards his benefactor raised ill his heart such an unbounded love and affection for him, that, upon some unpleasant differences breaking out subsequently in
the regiment amongst the officers, he, on all occasions, warmly defended Colonel von Belling from the malicious aspersions of his enemies.
He had, about this time, been promoted to a company in the regiment; soon after which, Colonel von Belling, upon some occasion or other, at the end of the Polish campaign, fell under the displeasure of the King, was obliged to retire, and lost his regiment. The command of it was then given to Colonel von Lossow, a bitter antagonist of Belling in all those unfortunate
differences between the officers, which eveutually deprived him of the favour of his sovereign.
The Major of the regiment, von Merseberg, having died a few months after these occurrences, Captain Blucher, as senior officer, ought to have been promoted to the vacant majority; but Lossow, knowing his attachment for Belling, and disliking him on that account, proposed
Captain von Jagerfeld for the vacancy with such a brilliant dislay of his merits, that he obtained the majority, to the disadvantage and vexation of Blucher.
Colonel Lossow, it seems, entertained a rooted antipathy to him, because of the steady friendship with which he defended the character of his benefactor in all the attacks that were
secretly made against it under the connivance of Lossow. Blucher did not hesitate to inform Frederick of the injury which had been done him; but his memorials had no effect, and his petitions were rejected. On finding that all further application was entirely useless, he at last wrote a letter to the King, the following terms:
"Your Majesty will therefore he graciously pleased to permit me to resign, sooner than expose myself to the most acute sensations during every hour of my life.
To this letter, Frederick wrote the following laconic and characteristic note, addressed to Major von Schulenberg, Commandant of the regiment:
Blucher's disappointment was doubly painful, because he was at this period paying his addresses to the daughter of Colonel von Mehling, in the Saxon service, then residing in Poland. He had himself but little fortune; and the amiable young lady could boast, perhaps, of
almost every good qualitv but that of wealth; yet, our honest Blucher scourned to retract, married her soon after, leaving the Prussian army, farmed an estate under his father-in-law, and became a country gentleman, devoting his leisure hours to the simple occupations of
husbandry, and after the lapse of a few years, by his own personal exertions and diligence, became possessed of considerable landed property in Pomerania. He was afterwards chosen to be Bailiff of the province.
To the honour of Frederick the Great, many of whose actions bear the marks of a whimsical eccentricity, it must be mentioned, that Blucher, in his agricultural pursuits, received much pecuniary assistance from him, to enable him to purchase advantageously, and improve his estates. His purse was open to him, whenever he wanted it.
Upon the death of Frederick the Great, which happened fifteen years after Blucher had quitted a military life, he was again restored to the Prussian army, by his successor who appointed him Major of the second battalion of his former regiment of Black Hussars. He soon rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and within the year to that of Colonel. In 1789, he was invested with the order "Pour le Merite."
Blucher is a soldier to the full extent of the expression. The field of battle has formed him for a commander. On that theatre of heroic action, his energetic soul found scope for developement. The cavalry of the Prussian forces loved him to an excess of enthusiasm; and, soon
after this period his popularity amongst the troops began to show itself on several memorable occasions. But, before we enter into details, we will close this portion of his biography with the following authentic sketch of the memoirs of his family, and an epitome of his own life, up
to the present moment.
Death having deprived Colonel von Blucher of his first lady, he afterwards married the daughter of Mr. von Colomb, Counsellor of the Finances, and sister to Major von Colomlb, in the Prussian service. By his former marriage he had three children; two sons, Francis and Gebhardt, and one daughter; who are all still living. Count Francis von Blucher is, at present, Colonel-commandant of the Brown Hussars, and distinguished himself, in the most eminent manner, during, the campaigns of 1813 and 1814.3
The second son Count Gebhardt von Blucher served as Captain in his father's regiment but having resigned, now resides on the family estates in Pomerania. The daughter married Count von Schulenberg became a widow and in 1814, was united to Baron von der Asseberg.
Our hero's path of glory commenced during the campaign on the Rhine in 1793. It was at the head of the Black or "von Golz's" Hussars, that those talents for enterprise so conspicuous in his following campaigns, first began to expand themselves. In the formation of his plans, he evinced a certain cool circumspection, a dexterously concealed caution, and all irresistible energy in their pursuit, which, with his peculiar talent of making his arrangements in the presence of the enemy, imperceptibly procured him, though only at the head of a corps of partisans, a considerable reputation in the army.
He acquired the entire confidence of his troops also, because he was known to provide for their wants with an indefatigable care, which overlooked, at times, both limits and restraints. The young officers were particularly attached to him, it being his custom to live on terms of
intimacy with them, that at once, flattered their pride and gained their esteem. The hours devoted to the table were enlivened by a conviviality on his side, which, however prominent, never, on any occasion, derogated from the dignity attached to a superior officer.
When galloping down the front of his regiment, either on parade or before the enemy, his heroic figure, his eye full of fire and energy, an inspiring voice, and a gallant chivalrous management of his horse, attract the notice of the files, fix their attention, make an indelible impression on the spectators, and seem to pledge success to the heart of every soldier, if led on by such a commander.
In the campaign of 1794, the regiment of Black, or Death's Head Hussars, was given him, as a reward for his important services; and on the 4th of June of the same year, he was promoted to the rank of Major-general, and made a Knight of the grand order of the Red Eagle. He published, at this period, a small but interesting work on a war of posts and skirmishes, with remarks on ambuscades, that may be accounted the most excellent of its kind.
Major General Blucher was made a Lieutenant General in 1801, took possession of Erfurth and Muhlhausen in the name of the King in 1802, and was afterwards appointed Governor of Munster.
Blucher's campaign of 1806, his brave and persevering defence of Lubeck, and his very honourable capitulation at Ratkau, near that place, will be the subject of one of the following chapters. General Blucher was exchanged for the French General Victor, and on his passing through Finkenstein, in East Prussia, on the road to the head-quarters of his Sovereign, was received by Napoleon with marked distinction.
After the peace of Tilsit, His Majesty the King of Prussia intrusted him with the care of the military affairs of Pomerania, one of the three military governments newly created.
At the opening of the campaign of 1813, his royal master gave him the chief command of the Silesian army, that arrny whose deeds have immortalized the name of Blucher and of Prussia, and dispersed those lowering clouds which had so long overcast the former resplendency of the
Prussian arms. His unparalleled marches, the prudence of his masterly manceuvres, his unceasing activity, that overthrew, in so many instances, the mighty preparations of the most experienced chief-his bloody and obstinate battles, his splendid victories in this and the following
campaign and the rapidity that accompanied the execution of his deeply-concerted plans, have excited the astonishment, admiration, and unfeigned eulogiums of his cotemporaries, and indeed of all Europe.
After the stupendous victory ot Leipsic, our veteran was promoted to the rank of General Field-Marshal,4 and a few days previously to his landing on Albion's sea-girt shores, he evas raised to the dignity of Prince Blucher of Wallstatt, by the most grateful, the most magnanimous, and the best of Monarchs.
His visit to England, so fresh in the memory of every one, resembled more the triumph of an adored hero, than the presence of a general accompanying his Sovereign. Blucher's name became the watchword of exultation with all ranks in the metropolis; and, wherever he appeared, he
seemed to inspire every one with love and veneration towards him.
As a new war may break out, and rage with equal fury, and the enemy of mankind, alike ambitious, whether as sovereign prince of an island, or as emperor of a kingdorm, may renew the contest for universal dominion, and the dorwfall of social order, morality, and religion, it is but natural to suppose, that our veteran hero is anxious to add fresh laurels to those which already grace his brow, and that he is eagerly bent on meeting his deadly foe once more, on those plains which have already witnessed his noble exploits.
1 Knight of the grand order of the Black Eagle, of the Red Eagle, of that of the Iron Cross, and of the order of Merit of Prussia: of those of St. Alexander Newsky, of St. Anne, and of St. George, of the first class, of Russia; Knight of the order of St. Charles of Spain; and Grand Cross of the order of Maria Theresa of Austria.
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2 A son of the brother who entered the Danish service, now Grand President of the city of Altona, in Denmark; a gentleman, whose liberality of sentiment, and philanthropy have won him the hearts of the whole of tbe inhabitants. When the peaceful citizens of Hamburgh were driven from their homes by the cruelties of Davoust, the President, von Blucher, waved every consideration, to relieve individual distress. Back to the text
3 Major von Blucher, with a detachment of Prussian hussars, from the army of his father at Altenburg, succeeded in surprising General Souham's advanced guard on the 19th of April 1813, drove it sword in hand through Weimar, and made a great number of prisoners. General Souham having pushed forward a numerous support, the Major was obliged to retire, after having first caused the troops of the Confederacy of the Rhine, belonging to Weimar-Gotha, Coburg and
Hilburghausen to surrender at discretion; and who now, with eager hearts, assembled under the banners of Prussia, unfurled by the hand of victory, to avenge the disgrrace that had sullied the German name.
Lieutenant-colonel Francis von Blucher, being with the rear-guard of General von Kleist's corps, when reconnoitoring the enemy near Nollendorf, on the 14th of September 1813, had the misfortune, after an obstinate affair, to be unhorsed by the lance of a Polish hussar, to
whom he surrendered himself prisoner, after having received seven wounds. He was, without delay, sent to the rear of the first French corps. The Pole, on hearing his name, hastened to announce his prize to Napoleon, who immediately ordered him into his presence, although bleeding from every wound, and in the most exhausted state. Napoleon began with his usual hasty manner of questioning: "What's your name?" "What's your rank?" "How many troops has the King of Prussia?"
"How many can he bring into the field?" The son of our veteran hero collected strength enough to answer this last question with the coolness and brevity worthy of his father:
"My beloved monarch, Sire, has as many soldiers as he has loyal subjects!"
"Your answer is very haughty," rejoined Napoleon, in the hollow tone of displeasure so natural to him; and then dismissed him. The Lieutenant-colonel was conveyed to Dresden, treated with respect and attention, and obtained his liberty by the capitulation of Dresden in the October following.
An eye-witness to this conference, from whom we have the anecdote, corroborated by the Count himself, here adds, that when the Lieutenant-colonel had left Napoleon's presence, the Pole, who had taken him prisoner, stood erect, in military attitude, before his Emperor, and being unacquainted with the French language, attempted by signs to give Napoleon to understand, that he had deserved the decoration of the legion of honour. The former seemed inclined, at first, to pretend ignorance of what he meant; but, as the Pole would not stir from the spot, Napoleon suddenly exclaimed, in a tone of vexation: "He shall have it". But many of the bystanders confessed, that the gallant prisoner had acquired more honour, by his answer, than the Pole did by his acquisition of the cross of the legion of honour. Back to the text
4 Which mark of distinction was announced to him by the following letter: "Your repeated victories increase the services rendered your country, so rapidly, that I find myself deprived of the power of following you with proofs of my gratitude.
"Accept of a fresh mark of it, by my naming you General Field-Marshal; and may you enjoy this dignity for many years, to the satisfaction of the country, and as an example to the army, which you have so often led to victory and glory.
His Prussian Majesty wrote Blucher the following lines on this occasion:
The name of Wahlstatt is derived from the cloister and village of Wahlstatt, near Liegnitz, on the river Katzbach. This cloister and village are famous for having been built on the spot where a great battle was fought between the Tartars and Henry II, Duke of Silesia, in 1241:
the Duke lost his life and the battle; and, in commemoration of this unfortunate event, the cloister was built by his mother, and, to this day, a description of the battle is annually read from the pulpit, on the 9th of April, being the anniversary of that on which the battle was
fought. The word Wahlstatt has, besides, a double signification in the German language, as it likewise implies, "a field of battle," so that Blucher's title has the significant meaning: Prince of the Field of Battles.
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"I have taken my oath of allegiance to serve the king of Sweden, and I cannot on any terms forget that oath. My father, I know full well, has a high sense of the honour of an officer, and
I should never dare to appear again before him, if I should not enter the Prussian service, without my being first officially dismissed the Swedish."
"My young Adjutant will one day become the ornament of the Prussian army, if his natural qualities and talents are blended with a well-digested ground-work of military tactics."
"Permit me, with all due submission, to apprize our Majesty how insupportable it is for me to see myself superseded by an officer, who has no other essential merit whatever to boast of, than being the son of the Margrave of Sweden.
"Captain von Blucher has leave to resign, and may go to the devil as soon as he pleases."
"General Blucher,
Leipsic, October 20th, 1813
"You have happily and gloriously closed the struggle for the honour and welfare of our native country; but the gratitude which the State owes you still continues; and, as a proof of it, I hereby raise you to the dignity of Prince Blucher of Wahlstatt, and your heirs to peers
of the realm, as Counts Blucher of Wahlstatt. It will forthwith be my first care, in showing my due sense of your heroic services, to grant to yourself, and your descendants, such domains as may be best suited to support your rank.
Headquarters, Paris, June 3d, 1814."
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