Heinrich Kaspar von Wedel
Heinrich Kaspar von Wedel (born April 30, 1778 in Silligsdorf , † January 17, 1858 in Vossberg , Saatzig district ) was a Prussian major and knight of the order Pour le Mérite .
Life
family
He was a member of the noble family von Wedel , who had lived in Western Pomerania since the 13th century . His father Caspar Otto von Wedel was heir to Vossberg , his grandfather Ewald Joachim von Wedel (* 1676, † 1750) was heir to Vossberg and Mellen and president of the Stettin court.
Wedel was married twice, initially in childless marriage with Eleonore von Kleist, who died in 1799 in the first year of their marriage. In 1814 he married Johanna von Sobbe (1789–1851). From this marriage five sons were born.
Military career
Following the family tradition, Wedel entered the Prussian Army as an officer candidate. He took part in the 1806/07 war as a cavalry officer. In 1807 he was a premier lieutenant in the Schill Free Corps , having previously served in the “von Pirch” regiment. In the Schill Freikorps he distinguished himself particularly in the defense of the Kolberg fortress , so that King Friedrich Wilhelm III. rewarded on April 21, 1807 with the order Pour le Mérite. In 1808 , his commander Ferdinand von Schill reported on the battle that led to the award of this medal to the immediate investigation commission set up by the king, which was supposed to investigate the behavior of all Prussian officers during the war lost against France, as follows:
- “... Affair of April 5th (correct would be 3rd) ..... Besides the infantry, which was with the thrown enemy cavalry, another strong troop of them marched down along the beach; therefore, immediately upon his approach, Lieutenant v. Wedel with 20 men ... went off ... to prevent this part of the enemy infantry from taking the squadron ... in the rear. The p. von Wedel did not fail ..... for his part to attack the one here on the beach, which forced him to retreat to the sea, where many drowned .... "
Wedel then remained in the army and rose further until he took his leave as a major and retired to his estate Vossberg in the Saatzig district . He sold the estate to his son in 1852.
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Heinrich Berghaus : Land book of the Duchy of Pomerania and the Principality of Rügen. Part II, Volume 4. Anklam 1868, p. 604 ( online ).
- ↑ Genealogical Handbook of Adedels . Volume A XCA Starke-Verlag, Limburg 1969, p. 339 .
- ^ Gustav Lehmann: The knights of the order pour le merite . No. 157. Mittler, Berlin 1913, p. 470 .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Wedel, Heinrich Kaspar von |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Wedel, Heinrich Caspar von |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Prussian officer and knight of the order Pour le Mérite |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 30, 1778 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Silligsdorf |
| DATE OF DEATH | January 17, 1858 |
| Place of death | Vossberg , Saatzig district |