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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.)
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