Václav Jan Frierenberger facts for kids
Jan Václav Josef Frierenberger (also known by his German name, Johann Wenzel Joseph Ritter von Frierenberger) lived from 1759 to 1823. He was a brave general in the Austrian Empire army. He fought during the important Napoleonic Wars.
A Life in the Army
Jan Václav Josef Frierenberger was the son of an army officer. Because of this, he decided to join the army when he was young. He took part in the Austro-Turkish wars. By 1790, he had already become a captain.
His father, Major Josef Frierenberger, was also a respected soldier. He received a special award called the Military Order of Maria Theresa. Jan Václav Josef followed in his father's footsteps.
After the famous Battle of Austerlitz, Jan Václav Josef was honored on May 28, 1806. He received the highest Austrian military award, the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa. This award meant he became a Knight (Ritter) for life. It also meant he could eventually become a free lord.
He continued to rise through the ranks. The next year, he became a lieutenant colonel. In 1809, he was promoted to colonel. Then, on April 27, 1813, he became a major general.
General Frierenberger was seriously hurt on August 26, 1813. This happened during the Battle of Dresden. After his injury, General Friedrich Karl von Langenau took over command of the artillery.
The Russian Tsar Alexander I recognized Frierenberger's bravery. He gave him the Russian Order of St. Anna.
In January 1820, Frierenberger retired from the army. He spent his last years in Kroměříž, which is now in the Czech Republic. He is buried in the old cemetery there.
Monument Near Austerlitz
On December 2, 1995, a stone monument was revealed. It stands near an old post office along the Olomouc road. The Czechoslovak Napoleonic Society and the Austerlitz Battery built it.
This monument remembers two Austrian artillery batteries. These batteries were led by Major Václav Jan Frierenberger. They helped cover the retreat of the Russian army. This happened at the end of the Battle of Austerlitz.
Cemetery Memorial
In 1836, Frierenberger's wife had a monument built for him. It was placed on his grave. Later, in 1936, the memorial was moved. It now stands at the entrance of the current town cemetery.
The memorial is built in the Empire style. It is listed as a Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic. The statue shows a sad woman. She is leaning on a base that holds a broken Doric column. The base has German words on all four sides. These words honor the general.
