Andreas Iwan von Witowski

Andreas Iwan von Witowski (also Witowsky) (born December 23, 1770 in Crivolt , Galicia , † November 27, 1847 in Ohlau ) was a Prussian colonel .

Life

Colonel Andreas Iwan von Witowski

Witowski (often also Witowsky) was from old Polish nobility. As a result of the Polish Revolution, his mother fled to Prussia with him and a younger brother . In 1788 the hussar major Maximilian Ludwig von Pelchrzim and Trzenkowitz took them in at his house, which was garrisoned with his brown hussar regiment in Pless . The Prussian hussars made such a huge impression on the young Witowski that he decided to join this squadron . Witowski was soon promoted to carabinier and non-commissioned officer and as such took part in the Rhine campaign . He proved himself there and was awarded the gold medal of merit in 1793. Promoted to cornet and second lieutenant on December 10, 1799 , he joined the 6th Squadron of the regiment in Ujest .

After the fall of Wroclaw and in view of the incursions of Polish insurgents , Witowski was allowed to march to the Polish border with 100 hussars. At the end of 1806 and beginning of 1807 he protected Upper Silesia against the incursions of Polish rebels. The "Schlesische Provinzialblätter" of 1809 commemorate him with special respect and gratitude and the residents of Gleiwitz , Tarnowitz and other places praise him as their "patron god".

At the beginning of January the Gleiwitz magistrate asked for help, he set out with his hussars and, under aggravating circumstances, threw back 300 attackers, but in pursuit of them came across 600 cavalry men and 48 hunters in an advantageous position, supported by a three-pounder gun. He had to withdraw first, but in the night he managed to drive away the overwhelming power. The three-pounder, three firecrackers, 150 horses, ten wagons with baggage and ammunition, twelve officers and 150 prisoners were the result.

The king rewards Witowski's loyalty and merit with the order Pour le Mérite . Even the enemy tried to lure him away as colonel by offering a patent to be enforced by Napoleon . But Witowski refused: "I forgot to write Polish, and only answer with the saber". At the same time as he was awarded the medal, he advanced from secondary lieutenant to staff officer . Witowski was Rittmeister in the 2nd Silesian Hussar Regiment , rose to major in December 1813 and to lieutenant colonel in October 1815 . In the same month he was sent to Remonte for the army in the Ukraine . From November 13, 1816 to June 9, 1817 he was in command of the 2nd Silesian Hussar Regiment. Subsequently released from service with half his salary, he took over possession of the Gardawitz manor, which his wife had inherited. On June 11, 1833, Witowski dimitted, with half his salary still being granted as a pension . On November 27, 1833, the king gave him the character of a colonel and in 1841 also awarded him the Order of the Red Eagle, 2nd class.

Witowski died in Ohlau on November 27, 1847. The king honored his memory by allowing his orders to remain in the family.

He was married to Josephine von Rumpf, daughter of Major von Rumpf.

literature

• von Seherr-Thotz: Stammliste of the Hussar Regiment Graf Goetzen (2nd Silesian) No. 6. 1809–1908. ES Mittler & Sohn . Berlin 1908. p. 14.