Bernhard Alexander Gottfried von Schmettau

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Count Bernhard Alexander Gottfried von Schmettau (born May 5, 1748 in Pommerzig , † March 26, 1816 ) was a Prussian major general .

Life

Origin and family

Bernhard Alexander Gottfried was a member of the Silesian noble family von Schmettau . His parents were the Prussian state minister and chief hunter and heir to Pommerzig Count Gottfried Heinrich von Schmettau (1710–1752) and Franzeline Leopoldine Benjamine von Schönaich (1708–1794). He married Johanna Auguste Antoinette von Wulffen (1748–1826) in 1784 . A daughter, Countess Franziska Bernhardine von Schmettau (1785–1786) and a son, Count Bernhard Philipp Gottfried von Schmettow (1787–1872), who married Valeska Agnes Elisabeth von Wulffen (1798–1881) in 1814, emerged from the marriage .

With Caroline Christiane von Storren (1769-1848) he fathered the son Carl Gottlieb Schmettau (1792-1858). Storren was the sister of the sergeant JFU von Storren, who served in the same regiment as Schmettau.

Career

Schmettau began his career in the Prussian army as an Estandartenjunker in the body cuirassier regiment (No. 3) . He was promoted to cornet in 1763 and lieutenant in 1767 . As such, he took part in the War of the Bavarian Succession . In 1782 he rose to the rank of staff rider and in 1786 to Rittmeister and company commander . His promotion to major took place in 1792. He took part in the First Coalition War , in particular the Battle of Kaiserslautern and the battles near Trippstadt, Schwalm and Hason. In 1794 Schmettau was promoted to squadron chief and in 1801 to lieutenant colonel . He became the commander of the body cuirassiers in 1803 and was promoted to colonel in 1804 . He took part in the Fourth Coalition War and took part in the battle of Jena and Auerstedt and the surrender of Magdeburg. In 1807, like many Prussian officers, Schmettau was given half a salary as a result of the events. An investigation in 1808 came to the conclusion that he cannot be blamed for his defeat and surrender. Schmettau was then in 1813 his farewell with board approved and in 1815 the character awarded to Major General.

In 1804 it was said about Schmettau: "Has service and drill skills, is an accurate, righteous man and good host."

literature
personal data
SURNAME Schmettau, Bernhard Alexander Gottfried von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Prussian major general
DATE OF BIRTH May 5, 1748
PLACE OF BIRTH Pommerzig
DATE OF DEATH March 26, 1816