PRINCE FREDERICK CHARLES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 848, 22 January 1883, Page 2

PRINCE FREDERICK CHARLES.

The following biography of the above Prince, whose death is recorded in our cablegrams to-day, is from the “ Men of the Time :

Frederick Cha HLEsJ(Frederick Charles Nicholas), Imperial Prince of Germany, eldest son of Prince Charles, the second brother of the emperor, was bom March 20, 1828, and has from early youth devoted himself to the military profession, and holds a number of appointments in the German Army. He commanded in the war against Denmark in 186.%. In 1866 he was placed at the head of.the first army destined to operate against Austria, entering Bohemia through Saxofiy, and so conducted his forces through 'the latter country as to make its people fronds of Prussia. The extreme rapidity and energy of movement which he,, displayed in Bohemia disconcerted the' Austrian General Benedek, who had calculated upon being allowed to assume the offensive. In a series of actions fhe drove 'the Austrians to Sadowa, and won the great battle of Koniggratz, aided by tK<f Crown Prince, who, bringing up the"* second army, effected his junction with Prince Frederick Charles at the crisis of the day. Prince Frederick Charles had f&r years previously labored strenuously, and with great success, to make the Prussian military system more elastic, giving greater freedom to the officers, and relying more upon moral means than upon the rule and method in dealing with the men. The unexpected suppleness and dash displayed by the Prussians in 1866 were, in a great mean re, the consequence of these reforms. The reputation he achieved in'“the war with Austria was increased by his successes in the conflict with FrancA' At the close of July, 1870, he was on the Rhine frontier in command of the Second German Army, comprising the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 12th North German corps, estimated at 260,000 men and 500 pieces of artillery. On August 6 hojiefeatad General Froissart at Speichern,- and tea days latter made a vigorous attack on the right of the French position held by Marshal Bazaine between Doncourt and Vion--ville, driving the French troops>back to Metz. He closely invested that'fortress, which, after enduring a seige 61, seventy days, capitulated on Octobev 27, when Marshal Bazaine surrendered witfy 150,000 prisoners (including the Imperial Guard, three marshals, 50 generals, and 6,000 officers) and 20,000 sick and wounded. Shortly afterwards Prince Frederick Charles defeated General AurollAde Paladines and the Army of the LoireqNoyember 28), recaptured Orleans (December 4), and after a struggle protracted 1 six days he took Le Mans and : compelled General Ch inzy to withdraw his troops in a northward direction (January 13 1871). He was created a Field-Marshal in October 28, 1870. The Prince married, November 29, 1854, Marie Anne, daughter of Leopold Frederick, reigning Duke of Anhalt, and. has four children.