Barney,
You asked about suggested reading material a couple of days ago. I was
loaned a book a couple of years ago about the mass migration during the 19th
Century from the Osnabrück area to the US. It is an unusual "Bi-lingual"
book [German & English] and very readable. I believe the German Title was
something like "Von Farmen und Heuerleuten" or something similar. Perhaps
Jane Swan or someone else on the list knows the correct title and where you
might be able to get the book.
Don Roddy
Hi Don,
Thanks for the info.
Have a nice weekend.
Barney
A few years ago we visited the village of Hamlin and in the old part of town
there is a museum. On the top floor of this museum there was a large battle
scene made up of Tin Soldiers. A by stander told me that it was a scene from
a Prussian and Hannoverien battle. He said that they won that battle but
lost the war. I wonder now what battle that was. Anyway Hamlen is a nice
place to visit and the musem was very nice.
Jim Decker
No doubt the Battle of Langensalza Jim (often called the Second Battle of Langensalza, the first being the victory of German King Henry IV over rebellious Saxon noblemen on the River Unstrut near Langensalza in 1075). The Hanoverian Army was commanded in the field by Lieutenant General Alexander von Arentschildt, under orders of King George V. The Prussians were led by General Eduard Vogel von Falckenstein, under orders of General Helmuth von Moltke as Bismarck's Chief of Staff. The battle itself took place on June 27th, 1866 (victory for Hannover) and concluded the following day (victory for Prussia, sometimes referred to as the modern Battle of Cannae). Short and sweet (though bloody), just as Fred mentioned. At the conclusion of the conflict, von Falckenstein assumed the role, albeit briefly, of Governor-General of Hannover.
The ultimate result of this battle was the constitution of a North German Confederation, of a united Germany (at least as far as the Main), to which the Kings of Saxony and Hannover and the Elector of Hesse had long disdained to belong. The other princes of North Germany declared themselves ready to place their contingents and armies at the disposition of the new commander of the Confederation. Bismarck and Prussia were stars clearly in the ascendancy.
Prussian Army
Commander-in-Chief: General von Falckenstein
Field Commanders:
- Lieutenant General von Goeben (Division)
- Lieutenant General von Manteuffel (Division)
- Lieutenant General von Beyer (Division)
- Major General von Fliess (Brigade)
- Colonel von Fabeck (Brigade)
- Major General von Seckendorf (Reserve Battalions)
Hannoverian Army
Commander-in-Chief: Lieutenant General von Arentschildt
Field Commanders:
- Major General von dem Knesebeck (Brigade)
- Major General von Bothmer (Brigade)
- Colonel de Vaux (Brigade)
- Colonel von Bulow-Stolle (Brigade)
- Lieutenant Colonel von Geyso (Reserve Cavalry)
Here is a brief synopsis of the battle (courtesy of Richard Holling).
BACKGROUND
On the 15th June 1866 Prussian forces mobilised and on the same day Moltke learned that Hanover was hostile. The Hanoverian capital was easily captured but in the meantime the Hanoverian army was mobilising. The Hanoverians planned to join forces with the Bavarians but a shortage of ammunition meant that valuable time was lost. False information caused the Hanoverian commander to change routes and the Prussians realised that their small force at Langensalza could not possibly halt the Hanoverians. Two battalions of Guards were brought in by train and a series of negotiations took place although these were merely ruses by the Prussians to buy extra time. Finally the Hanoverian commander realised that agreement could not be reached and discovered that he had almost been surrounded by two other Prussian armies. The advance continued and the Hanoverians took up positions in the villages beyond the Unstrutt.
THE BATTLE
The First Hanoverian Brigade was deployed in and around Langensalza as the town was an important supply base. The Prussian advance body of six battalions slowly pushed back the first brigade which was forced to retire back to Merxleben, with artillery covering the withdrawal. The Prussians advanced up to the Unstrutt and a party of Hussars attempted to cross at Thamsbr�ck but were driven off by dragoons. The Hanoverian commander Lieutenant-General von Arentschildt realised that he outnumbered the Prussians and that in addition they were overly extended. He issued orders for a counter attack. The second brigade with the K�nigin Hussars crossed the Unstrutt at Merxleben and charged the Prussians who retreated in good order but many men were taken as prisoners. The third brigade crossed at Thamsbr�ck and helped clear the way through to Langensalza. The cavalry was ordered into the retreating Prussian squares and succeeded in breaking a number and capturing six guns.
The Prussian retreat turned to rout but the Hanoverians were unable to pursue fully and the losses (80 officers and 971 other ranks wounded, 22 officers and 356 other ranks killed) meant they were unable to continue to join up with the Bavarians. General von Falkenstein had by this stage maneuvered some 40,000 men into the vicinity and von Arentschildt had little choice but to surrender.
Jb