Karl Ludwig Wilhelm Ernst von Prittwitz
(16.10.1790 - 08.06.1871)
place of birth:  Gut Karisch
Königreich Preußen:  KG,  General der Infanterie ch.

                            


General von
Prittwitz was the commander of Prussia's Guards Corps (Garde-Korps) in Berlin from 1848 to 1858. Karl launched his career at the age of 12, joining Infanterie-Regiment "von Zenge" in Königsberg as a Fahnenjunker.  Four years later, young Karl experienced combat for the first time in the Battle of Auerstedt, part of the War of the Fourth Coalition. As a Sekonde-Lieutenant, he was again active during Napoleon's campaign against Russia in 1812. One year later, he was engaged in the German Campaign of 1813 (Befreiungskriege) for which he received the Iron Cross 2nd Class.

In 1818, Major von Prittwitz functioned as personal adjutant to Prince Wilhelm (later King Wilhelm I.), then in 1822 he was selected to be King Friedrich Wilhelm III.'s aide-de-camp. Thereafter, von Prittwitz took a steadily rising career path as a commander with the Guards Corps: 1828 in command of 1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß, 1835 in command of 1. Garde-Brigade, 1838 Kommandant of Berlin, 1843 in command of 1. Garde-Division, 1848 in command of Garde-Korps. The March Revolution of 1848 saw von Prittwitz heading up troops during the street fighting in Berlin, with more than 200 civilians being killed. In 1849, he was then designated Supreme Commander of federated German forces (das Deutsche Bundesheer) for action in the First Schleswig War. General von Prittwitz celebrated 50 years of military service in March of 1853, but soon thereafter was forced into retirement due to ill health. On retirement, he was promoted to the brevet rank of General der Infanterie.
(Karl von Prittwitz is not to be confused with General der Kavallerie Carl Baron von Prittwitz, 1797-1881, who was an adjutant general to the Russian Czar.)

     
     

General der Infanterie  08.03.1853  ch.
Eisernes Kreuz II  Befreiungs-Kriege  1813-1815

Pour le Mérite  09.08.1849
Militär-St-Heinrich 04.08.1849  Komtur I