The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-29
THE PRUSSIAN COMMANDER.
Prince Frederick Charles. the Comma uder In.
Chief of the Army of the Khine.

thtet OIL the Army OF the ttnlne.
The leading General of the Prussian army is
one who has as yet received very little attention
from the American press. In Prussia he is re-
garded as far superior to the Crown Prince and
as the equal if not the superior of the veteran
Won Moltke.
Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia present
Commander. in Chief of the Prussian army of
the Rhine, son of Prince Frederick, was
born March 20, 1928. He Is the beloved
Charles Alexander and nephew of the King
chief of his army and o man of such extraordi-
nary military talents that we might safely pro-
nounce him military genius. The eyes of the
entire German people are now turned upon him
in unlimited trust and confidence. 1t would be
interesting as well as instructive to follow step
step by the formation and developmentof of this ex-
traordinary character, but, even II our space did
not forbid entering into minute details, the re-
luctance of the Prince to all publicity, and his
stern refusal to furnish his biographers any in
formation beyond what has already ecome his
torical concerning him, would preclude all idea
of such an undertaking. Like all Prussian
princes, Frederick Charles had to enter the
Prussian army when scarcely ten years old, it
being considered necessary that every de-
scendant OF the house of Hohenzollern, no
matter what his individual inclination may
be, should become fully acquainted with the
military service of his country, and that what
ever career he may ultimately follow he
may be called upon at any moment to draw his
sword for the defense of Fatherland in times of
danger. With Frederick Charles there was no
need of compusion. The warike spirit of his
ancestors animated him even in his earliest
YOUTH and induced him to devote himself with
enthusiasm to his military studies. The result
of this innate love of everything connected
with the army soon became apparent in the
rapid progress he made in the military school
of instruction. The study of the life aad glorious
deeds of Frederick the Great filed his leisure
hours, and it is said that he was, on several
occasions severely reprimanded for pass
ing entire, nights over the Seven
IF botf a6O " of In
tain. At the outbreak of the first war of
Schleswig- Holstein, in 1SiS, he was assigned to
the staff of the Commander-in-C Chief of the
Prussian forces, General Won Wrangel, when, at
the battle of Schleswig, his impetuosity and his
entire disregard of all danger, while imperilling
his life at every instant, did not fail to encou-
rage the troops, aud materially aided in secur-
ing the victory to the Prussian eagle. During
| the campaign in Baden In 1849 he likewise dis
| tinguished himself on various occasions. Fif-
teen years of peace now followed, during which
| the Prince resumed his theoretical studies of
the science of war, made himself familiar with
all branches of the army, and showed conclu-
svely his superior talent for the organi-
| zation as well as for the skilful disposition of
Denmark resulting in q declaration of
war against that power by Aus
trIa and Prussia, the second campaign
in Schleswig- Holstein was soon entered upon,
appointed Communicating Chief of the combined
armies, the command of the Prussian division
was intrusted to Prince Frederick Charles,
| December 15 1868. He at once recognized the
fortified place of Duppel to he one of the great
est Danish stronghoids, and formidable barrier
| to the advance of the German armies into Dan
ish territory. He therefore decided upon a
regular siege and investment of the position.
| The severity of the winter in these northern
laLitudes interfered considerably with his opera
tions, and it was not until April, 1864, that he
thoughtit safe to order first the bombardment and
then the storming of the Notifications. Twice
nt1lf rooAx h ella,
until at last the intrepid commander grasped
the flag of the regiment of Royal Guards and,
personally leading his troops to a
n1 third attack ttaSho,S drove the enemy ,SGt out
decided victory, the Danes losing over 5000
men and 118 pieces of artillery. Being de-
feated in several other important engagements,
the Danes saw the impossibility of further re-
sistance, and a treaty of peace was signed on
October 80, 1854. At the outbreak of hostilities
between Prussia and Austria in 1885, Prince
Frederick Charles was called to the command
of the lst Division of the Prussian army, imme-
diately marched his troops to the frontier,
which he crossed on June %, and in ordering
the attack upon the forces of the enemy, ad-
dressed his men with the words:-"May your
hearts beat towards God and your fists upon
the enemy A succession of splendid victories
at Liebenau, Turnau, Podois, Munchengratz,
and Gitschin having forced the enemy into the
interior of Bohemia, Prince Frederick Charles,
who knew the Austria1s to have occupied q
Bistriiz, requested the Crown Prince Frederick
William to come to his assistance with the %
Division of the army, but attacked the enem,
on the morning of July 3, withou
awaiting his arrival. The Prussians fough
desperately, but the position of the enemy wa
SO well chosen and their artillery so favorably
placed, that the Prince could not gain decided
advantage over them, and it was not until tn,
arrival of the I'd Division, under the Crow
Prince, that the enemy lost ground, retreatet
under the deadly fire of the Prussians, and wa
finally completely routed, rnnning In all direc
tions, and in the widest confusion This ende'
the celebrated battle of Sadowa. The enem
was pursued from the 9th to the 18th. Brun
was taken, and the Prussian troops found them
selves near the capital of Austria, ready at
moments notice to march upon Vienna. Til
interference of France resulting in the treat
of Prague, this ever memorable campaign wa
' at an end, Austria humiliated, and her forme
military prestige lost forever AS migt
be anticipated from man who had taken sue
! O conspicuous part In the brilliant achievement
of the Prussian army, our hero, although prou
of his troops, and willingly admitting the
superiority over any European army whc
could then be marshalled against them, ha
nevertheless become aware OF some serlor
: rawbacks and errors hitherto overlooked in th
} organization of the Prussian army, and at ono
concluded to advocate such reforms as his O.
s perience had convinced him to be absoute
s necessary Meeting with opposition in he
J, quarters, he is said TO have resolved TO subm
= | his opinions to the approval of the highe
: military authorities and il is generally believe
: that he is the author of an anonymous pan
, | Ia has