Philipp Carl
Christian Freiherr von Canstein
(04.02.1804 - 05.11.1877)
place of birth: Eschwege
Königreich
Preußen: Stellv KG,
General der Infanterie
Imperial Prussian general von Canstein was a division-level
commander and recipient of the Pour le Merite
medal. He was married to Adelheid von Krauseneck, the daughter of
Prussian Chief of General Staff Wilhelm von Krauseneck.
Canstein began his military career in 1819
when he joined the 2nd Infantry Regiment in Stettin as a cadet. He
became a regimental commander himself in 1857 (11th Infantry) and then
took part in the Danish War of 1864 as a brigade
commander. It was during this conflict that he was awarded the Blue
Max for his actions at the battle of Dybbol.
Two years later, General von Canstein led the 15th Infantry Division in
the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, seeing action in
the Battle at Königgrätz.
For this, the oak cluster was added to his Pour le Merite, and he was
then promoted to military governor of Magdeburg. As Prussia fought the
French in 1870-71, von Canstein briefly served as Gustav von
Alvensleben's acting commander in charge of IV. Army Corps headquarters
in Magdeburg. He retired from active duty in 1872 and died in Kassel in
1877.
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