[Born at Kreutzburg, in Prussia, 1771.]
Commenced his military career as corporal in an infantry regiment, 1784,
and gradually rose until, in 1799, appointed Staff-Captain. In his youth
a great student of the works of Frederic the Great; and from 1794 to
1796, during the war with Poland, the adjutant and friend of the
celebrated General Von Günther, whose military disciple he became, and
whose memoirs he subsequently composed. In his twenty-eighth year he
wrote a treatise upon military law, which eminently conduced to the more
humane treatment and greater comfort of the common soldier. Served in
all the later wars against Napoleon. Major-general at the Peace of
Paris, when he became Minister of War. In that capacity, established in
connexion with the service a number of organic laws, which display great
practical wisdom, and a manly consideration for the well-being of the
army. Retired from office in 1819, and occupied himself in literary
pursuits. Reinstated by the present King of Prussia in 1841, he at once
pursued his former energetic course of improvement on behalf of his
country and of its loyal defenders, to the great joy of the soldiers,
and with the honour, good-will, and affection of the people.
[By Hopfgarten. The original bronze is in the Palace at Potsdam.]