Ernst Michael von Schwichow

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Schwichow Monument

Johann Friedrich Ernst Michael von Schwichow (born November 5, 1759 in Bochowke , † May 28, 1823 in Minden ) was a Prussian major general and first commandant of the East Westphalian fortress of Minden and achieved great respect among Minden's population. He came from a noble family and received military training.

Life

origin

He was the son of Friedrich Wilhelm von Schwichow (1722–1792) and his wife Katharine Christliebe, born von Lietzen (1725–1805). His father was the Prussian captain a. D. , last in the infantry regiment "von Manteuffel" , as well as Herr auf Bochow.

Military career

Schwichow first visited the cadet houses in Stolp and Berlin . On February 25, 1778 he was employed as a private corporal in the 1st Battalion of the Guard of the Prussian Army . Schwichow took part in the War of the Bavarian Succession in 1778/79 and became an ensign the following year . As a second lieutenant he took part in the campaign against France in 1792/94 . Schwichow was in the sieges of Mainz and Landau and took part in the battle near Trippstadt. He was promoted to major by March 1799 and finally became commander of the grenadier battalion in October 1805. In the 1806 campaign , Schwichow fought in the Battle of Auerstedt and was made inactive after the surrender of Prenzlau on October 28, 1806. For the next few years he lived in Potsdam on half his salary .

At the beginning of the Wars of Liberation Schwichow made himself available and was given the position as commander of the 2nd Reserve Battalion in the 2nd Silesian Infantry Regiment. After his promotion to lieutenant colonel on June 5, 1813, a few days later he became commander of the 11th Reserve Infantry Regiment, which later became the 23rd Infantry Regiment . With the association he fought in the battle of Kulm and was awarded the Iron Cross II class and the Order of St. Vladimir IV class. In Leipzig Schwichow was wounded, then made the siege of Glogau and Erfurt with and fought in Neukirch, Peter Walde, Nollendorf and Pirna. For the defense of Vitry he received the Iron Cross First Class and the Order of St. Stanislaus, Second Class. On December 8, 1813, he was promoted to colonel with a patent from December 20, 1813 . In October 1814 Schwichow also received permission to wear the Knight's Cross of the Leopold Order .

On March 31, 1815, Schwichow was appointed first commandant of the newly fortified Minden fortress and in this position was promoted to major general on December 1, 1815. Minden had just been liberated by the French. Schwichow had to make the fortress attractive to the people of Minden, numerous houses were demolished to make room for the military buildings. He gained a high level of respect from the people of Minden, so that in September 1818 his transfer to the fortress Graudenz was reversed by massive protests by the population. Schwichow returned to his post as Commandant of Minden on July 8, 1819. On January 18, 1823 King Friedrich Wilhelm III signed him. with the Red Eagle Order III. Class off. Schwichow died on May 28, 1823 while exercising his service.

He was buried at the foot of the Schwichow Bastion .

family

He married Antonie Sophie von Oesfeld (1779–1855) on July 25, 1797 in Berlin. The two sons August (* 1798) and Ernst Julius Ado (* 1800) emerged from the marriage.

Commemoration

Minden erected a monument in his honor that was designed by the Prussian master builder Karl Friedrich Schinkel . The southern section of the former fortress and the current course of the road in Minden's old town - with the monument there - was named "Schwichowwall" in his honor.

literature

Web links

Commons : Ernst Michael von Schwichow  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ The state forces of the Prussian monarchy under Friedrich Wilhelm ... Volume 3 By Leopold Zedlitz (Freiherr von) accessed in May 2010
  2. ↑ Joseph von Niedermayr, On rewards in the state with an overview of the orders of merit, decorations and medals of the states of Europe and their statutes , p.52
personal data
SURNAME Schwichow, Ernst Michael von
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Schwichow, Johann Friedrich Ernst Michael von (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Prussian fortress commander of Minden
DATE OF BIRTH November 5, 1759
PLACE OF BIRTH Bochowke
DATE OF DEATH May 28, 1823
Place of death Minden