page_title: Karl Friedrich von dem Knesebeck
section_title: Post-War
hierarchical_section_title: Karl Friedrich von dem Knesebeck / Post-War
caption_attribution_description: Knesebeck-Gedenktafeln an der Kirche in Neuruppin-Karwe in Brandenburg, Deutschland („Ein böser Knecht der still darf stehn, wenn er den Feldherrn sieht angehn. Zur Erinnerung an Alfred, Kuno, Paridam, Freiherrn von dem Knesebeck-Mylendonck, Königlich Preußischer Major und Johanniterritter, geboren zu Berlin am 29. August 1816, gestorben daselbst am 14. Dezember 1883. Ein demütiger und gottesfürchtiger Christ, ein treuer Untertan seines Königs, ein hingebender Freund des Vaterlandes, ein Förderer des Wohles der Grafschaft Ruppin, ein fürsorgender Berater dieser Gemeinde, handelte er in seinem gesegneten Leben nach dem sein Denken und Tun beherrschenden Wahlspruch: »Ich dien«“ und „Carl Friedrich von dem Knesebeck, geboren zu Carwe 1768, gestorben zu Berlin 1848. Königlich Preußischer General Feldmarschall, focht zur Ehre seines Königs und seiner Nation in 17 Schlachten und diente dem Wohl des Vaterlandes von seinem 13ten Lebensjahre bis zu seinem Tode. Friede seiner Asche, Ehre seinem Andenken.“)
context_page_description: Karl Friedrich von dem Knesebeck was a Prussian field marshal and military adviser in the Napoleonic Wars, best known for designing the campaign plan of the Battle of the Nations and the subsequent invasion of France. As aide-de-camp to the king from 1813, and thereby his closest military advisor, he was a key figure in Prussia's military policy throughout the War of the Sixth Coalition and the subsequent Congress of Vienna.
context_section_description: In 1819 Knesbeck accompanied the Crown Prince, later King Frederick William IV, on a tour of Switzerland and Bavaria. The two men had come to know each other during the earlier military campaigns and became close lifelong friends. A journey to Rome in the same year resulted in his inadvertent purchase of the Head of Christ by Corregio, which he had initially considered a copy but which turned out to be the stolen original. He eventually gifted the painting to the Prussian royal family, on the condition that it would remain in the Royal Chapel.
  In 1822 Knesebeck became commander of the mounted Feldjäger Corps, while remaining Aide-de-camp to the king. In 1823 King Frederick William III gave him the estate Huysburg, in recognition of his services. Knesebeck was promoted to full General in 1825 and was appointed commander-in-chief of the army in the Grand Duchy of Posen. He received the Order of the Black Eagle in 1832 and the Order of St. Andrew in 1834, the highest awards of Prussia and Russia respectively. 
  In 1840 it was Knesbeck who brought the news of King Frederick William III's death to the Viennese court. That same year he was offered elevation to Graf (Earl), but declined, preferring to retain his Freiherr title.
  Armed tensions in Poland provided King Frederick William IV, for whom Knesebeck was still officially acting as primary military adviser, the opportunity to offer him promotion to field marshal on 7 October 1847, a five star rank that could only be bestowed in wartime. Knesebeck also declined this honour, pointing to his advanced age and suggesting it would "make a mockery of active field marshals". He instead requested his discharge from the army, which was granted him with a simultaneous promotion to field marshal at the insistence of the king. He died on 12 January 1848 in Berlin. Following a state funeral with an honour guard of nine regiments he was buried in the Invalids' Cemetery.
  
  On the church in Neuruppin-Karwe hangs a memorial to Knesebeck, with the inscription: 
  "Carl Friedrich von dem Knesebeck, born in Carwe 1768, died in Berlin 1848. A Prussian field marshal, he fought for the honour of his King and Country in 17 battles and served to the glory of his fatherland from his 13th year until his death. Peace to his remains, honour to his memory."
  Between 1983 and 1986 the awards received by Knesebeck, held by the German Historical Museum in Berlin, were among the priceless collection stolen and sold on the black market by an employee of the museum. Together with the orders worn by several German kings, emperors, and generals, numerous other unique pieces were taken during the theft. Only a limited number of the items in question have since been recovered, making it one of the greatest scandals of the military antiques market.
caption: Memorial on the wall of the Church in Neuruppin-Karwe
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