Blucher, Gebhard Leberecht von. Born in 1742. Prussian field marshal and prince of Wahlstadt; first entered the Swedish, but soon passed to the Prussian army, in which he served during the Seven Years' War. He went through the polish campaign of 1772, and gained rapid promotion during the struggle with the French invaders begun in 1792. In the campaign of 1814, Blucher held high command, and though defeated by Napoleon, he beat Marshal Marmont and entered Paris with the Allies. In the Waterloo campaign, he commanded the Prussian army in Belgium, and was severely defeated by Napoleon at Ligny. However, by out-maneuvering Grouch, he was able to arrive at Waterloo in time to decide the victory for the Allies and pursue the routed French army. He then retired from active service, and died four years later in 1819.

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