Friedrich Wilhelm von Dossow facts for kids
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Friedrich Wilhelm von Dossow (born 1669, died 1758) was a very important military leader from Prussia. He became a top commander, known as a Field Marshal. He also served as the Governor of Wesel, an important city.
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About His Family and Early Life
Friedrich Wilhelm came from the von Dossow family, an old noble family from a region called Pomerania. This family was first mentioned way back in the year 1330. His father, Richard Thomas von Dossow, was a district president.
Dossow was married three times during his life. However, he did not have any children of his own. He cared a lot about the well-being of soldiers' children. Because of this, he used his own money to open free schools for them.
Starting a Military Career
Dossow went to school at the Joachimsthalsches Gymnasium in Berlin. In 1688, he was part of the funeral for Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, who was known as the "Great Elector."
After finishing military college in Kolberg, Dossow joined a military group called Prince Alexander of Courland's regiment. This was in the Duchy of Prussia. Later, more troops from Margraviate of Brandenburg joined this group. It then became known as the 'Regiment Kurland'. King Frederick I of Prussia sent this regiment to help Emperor Leopold I. This happened during a big conflict called the War of the Spanish Succession.
Fighting in Major Wars
Dossow fought in Hungary against the Ottoman Turks. He also fought against France in the Rhineland area.
In 1715, King Frederick William I started a campaign to take Pomerania from Sweden. During this time, Dossow was a Major, which is a mid-level officer rank. Later that same year, Dossow became the Generaladjutant (a chief assistant) to Leopold I of Anhalt-Dessau. He helped Leopold during the capture of Rügen and the siege of Stralsund. A siege is when an army surrounds a city to try and take it over.
Rising Through the Ranks
King Frederick William I and Leopold, who was also called the "Old Dessauer," trusted Dossow. They asked him to create and train new regiments for the Prussian Army. This was part of a plan to make the army much bigger.
Dossow was promoted steadily over the years:
- In 1728, he became an Oberst (Colonel).
- In 1733, he was promoted to Generalmajor (Major General) and became a commander.
- In 1739, he became the Acting Governor of Wesel in the Duchy of Cleves.
When King Frederick II (also known as Frederick the Great) visited the duchy, he promoted Dossow again. This time, Dossow became a Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General).
Governor of Wesel and Special Honors
Dossow stayed in Wesel to protect the city during the First and Second Silesian Wars. In 1742, he officially became the Governor of Wesel. He was also given a very important award called the Order of the Black Eagle.
After the Battle of Hohenfriedberg, King Frederick promoted Dossow to Generalfeldmarschal (Field Marshal) on July 20, 1745. This was a very high military rank.
As a special thank you for Dossow's excellent service, Frederick the Great gave him a unique gift in 1751. It was a portrait of the king covered in diamonds, worn on a blue band. Dossow, Wilhelm Dietrich von Buddenbrock, and Hans von Lehwaldt were the only people to ever receive this special award.
Retirement and Later Life
When the Seven Years' War began, Dossow was already very old. Because of his age, he did not take part in the war. In January 1757, he retired to his estate called Gut Busekow. He passed away there the following year, in 1758.
See also
In Spanish: Friedrich Wilhelm von Dossow para niños
