Blumenthal Leonardvon

Blumenthal, Leonard von, Field Marshal, was born at Schweldt on the Oder in 1810, and entered the Prussian army in 1827. After serving for 22 years with various regiments he was put on the general staff, of which he became afterwards the chief. He distinguished himself in the Schleswig-Holstein campaign of 1849, and in the course of the next few years was frequently sent on missions to England, with which country he was connected by marriage. In the Danish war of 1863-64 he was chief of the general staff, and earned high honour for his courage and ability. In 1866 he accompanied the Crown Prince throughout the Austrian campaign, as chief of the staff, and in the war with France was again attached in the same capacity to the heir-apparent when he commanded the third army. In 1878 he was present at the autumn manoeuvres in England, and in 1888 received the field-marshal's baton.