Johann Friedrich von Herrmann

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Johann Friedrich Herrmann , von Herrmann since 1786 , (born November 30, 1739 in Nordhausen , † June 9, 1818 in Johannisburg ) was a Prussian major general and most recently in command of the Pillau fortress .

Life

origin

His parents were the forester Hans Herrmann (* June 3, 1689; † 1737) and his wife Sabine, née Piehlmann († June 17, 1751).

Military career

Herrmann became an engineer, joined the Prussian army as a volunteer in 1756 and joined the Neumark land battalion. During the Seven Years' War he was wounded in defense of Kolberg, fought in the battles near Kolin , Leuthen , Hochkirch and the sieges of Küstrin and Schweidnitz . In the latter, Herrmann was wounded again. Because of his bravery, he was made Second Lieutenant in 1761 and General von Thadden took him as adjutant.

After the war, Herrmann came to the infantry regiment "von Rebentisch" on June 2, 1763 as a prime lieutenant . There he was promoted to staff captain on April 6, 1772 and to captain and company commander on October 30, 1776 . As such, he took part in the War of the Bavarian Succession in 1778/79 . Herrmann was made major on October 3, 1785, and was elevated to the nobility on September 29, 1786 for his services by King Friedrich Wilhelm II . On December 23, 1790, he was appointed commander of the "von Laurens" grenadier battalion. On January 20, 1792 he came to the "Henckel von Donnersmarck" infantry regiment as commander of the depot battalion . There Herrmann was born on May 20, 1802 Lieutenant Colonel and on May 20, 1805 , Colonel . He was transferred to Pillau in the Fourth Coalition War and acted there from December 12, 1806, initially as 2nd commandant and from December 17, 1806 as the fortress commandant. He then headed the defense of Pillau.

When the army was reorganized, he had to surrender his battalion and company on December 18, 1807 . For this Herrmann received in his function as fortress commander from January 1, 1808 a salary of 800 thalers. On 23 November 1808 he was awarded the character as a major general with a pension of 800 taler his resignation granted. Herrmann died on June 9, 1818 in Johannisburg and was buried in Heinrichshöfen on June 12, 1818 .

In his assessment from the year 1804 by Lieutenant General Brünneck it says: Is perfectly good in his moral behavior, also accurat and diligent in his service, has thorough mathematical knowledge, of which he gained many in the 7 Years' War under the late Lieutenant General von Thadden Work has given evidence. Is a dedicated staff officer who not only leads his battalion well, but always keeps it in the best order. For some time now, however, he has suffered a great deal of pain from the head wound he had received near Schweidnitz, where he was also trephined, because of this and his old age he noticeably loses his memory.

Siege of Pillau

The general was already 78 years old when he was told by Friedrich Wilhelm III. was appointed in command of the Pillau Fortress. He also had his own coffin with him. When the French troops under General St. Hilaire asked the fortress to surrender, the then colonel abruptly refused. He then gathered his people around himself and the coffin and gave a speech that has become famous: Comrades, I will not hand over the fortress alive: Here is my coffin. Those who survive me will, I hope, sink what was left of their commander into it. Here, before all of you, I renew the oath that I swore to my monarch and the state at the beginning of my military career. If you are a good guy, repeat it with me: Prussia or death! .

All repeated the oath, and the colonel managed to hold the fortress until the peace of Tilsit , while many others surrendered. For this he was appointed major general by the king.

family

Herrmann married Johanna Charlotte Zoeger (* 1736; † December 14, 1795) in Glambeck (Arnswalde district) on November 4, 1755. The couple had several children:

  • Hans Ludwig (born September 20, 1764), Hussar Regiment No. 7
  • Karl Heinrich Eberhard (* April 28, 1768 - March 7, 1813), Infantry Regiment No. 2 ⚭ Freiin Auguste Amalie Schenk zu Tautenburg
  • Friedrich Wilhelm (born February 1, 1770)
  • Friederike Amalie (born August 7, 1772)
  • Jakob Friedrich Wilhelm (born September 16, 1776; † July 11, 1833), lieutenant colonel
⚭ October 9, 1811 Albertine Henriette von Suchodoletz (* March 10, 1789; † February 5, 1824)
⚭ November 5, 1824 Eleonore Charlotte von Suchodoletz (born January 26, 1788; † July 4, 1842), she was a sister of Albertine
  • Elisabeth Charlotte (born September 16, 1776; † September 13, 1859) ⚭ Karl Alexander Wilhelm (von) Prischer († February 14, 1815), engineer captain

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The exact wording varies slightly. B. Schilling: undefeated or death.
  2. ↑ http://ofb.genealogy.net/famreport.php?ofb=NLF&lang=de&modus=&ID=I401639&nachname=SCHENK+VON+TAUTENBURG
personal data
SURNAME Herrmann, Johann Friedrich von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Prussian major general and most recently in command of the Pillau fortress
DATE OF BIRTH November 30, 1739
PLACE OF BIRTH Nordhausen
DATE OF DEATH June 9, 1818
Place of death Johannisburg