Prince Josias of Coburg facts for kids
Prince Frederick Josias of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (born December 26, 1737 – died February 26, 1815) was a very famous general who served the Habsburg Emperors. He was also a Duke in Saxony.
Josias was born at Schloß Ehrenburg in Coburg. He was the youngest son of Francis Josias, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Anna Sophie, Princess of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt.
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Early Military Career
Josias joined the Habsburg military in 1759 as a Colonel. He fought in the Seven Years' War. By 1773, he had become a Lieutenant Field Marshal. This was a very high rank!
The Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792)
In the war between Russia, Turkey, and Austria (1788-1792), Josias led an army group. He served under another famous general, Freiherr von Laudon. Josias's troops took control of Moldavia and captured Khotyn in Bessarabia.
He also helped Aleksandr Suvorov win the Battle of Focşani on August 1, 1789. Josias then completely defeated the main Ottoman army. This happened in the Battle of Rymnik. After this big victory, he captured most of Wallachia, including the city of Bucharest. The people of Bucharest were happy to see him after their former ruler, Prince Nicholas Mavrogenes, had fled. Soon after, Josias became a full Field General.
Family Life
While he was in Moldavia, Josias met a woman named Therese Stroffeck. She was not from a royal family. On September 24, 1789, in the town of Roman, Therese gave birth to their son, who they named Frederick.
Josias and Therese got married on December 24, after they returned to Coburg. Josias said that he was Frederick's father. Later, on August 25, 1808, the Austrian Emperor gave Frederick a special title. On February 17, 1853, Duke Ernst II of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha made Frederick a Freiherr von Rohmann. This name came from the town where he was born. However, because Frederick was born before his parents were married, he could not inherit the duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.
Flanders Campaign (1793-1794)
In 1793 and 1794, Josias led the army in the Austrian Netherlands. This was during the Flanders Campaign of the French Revolutionary Wars. He won important battles, like the Battle of Neerwinden (1793) and the Battle of Aldenhoven (1794). These victories helped Austria regain control of the region.
He then moved into France and captured several towns, including Condé, Valenciennes, Quesnoy, and Landrecies. However, his army later faced some problems. This was partly because the different countries fighting together were not working well as a team. His army then suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Fleurus on June 26, 1794.
Retirement
After these losses, Josias left the Netherlands. The Habsburg leaders had already decided to give up the region anyway. Josias was also unhappy with the policies of Baron Thugut. Because of this, he resigned from his position as Field Marshal. Count of Clerfayt took over his role. Josias then went back to Coburg, where he passed away later.
See also
In Spanish: Josías de Sajonia-Coburgo-Saalfeld para niños
