Hermann von Alvensleben


Hermann Karl Rudolf Gebhard von Alvensleben was a Prussian Generalleutnant who participated in the Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War. He commanded the 1st Cavalry Division during the Battle of Königgrätz and commanded several Army Corps' during the Franco-Prussian War.

Origin

Hermann comes from the Low German noble family, the House of Alvensleben. He was the son of the Prussian lieutenant general and his wife Karoline, née von Hirschfeld.

Military career

After visiting the Kadettenhaus Neubau, he joined the regiment of the Gardes du Corps of the Prussian Army on 28 July 1827, as a flag ensign. In 1866, he led the 1st Cavalry Division in the cavalry corps of the 1st Army as a Major General during the Austro-Prussian War. After the end of the war he was promoted to lieutenant general and commanded the Guards Cavalry Division. On 5 September 1867 Alvensleben was initially put in charge of managing the business as head of the and was appointed head on 14 December 1867. During the Franco-Prussian War in July 1870, Alvensleben was the governor general in the I, II, III and X Corps under General Eduard Vogel von Falckenstein. A month later, he was ordered to Bremen to organize the guarding of the coast from Dorum to Emden. Alvensleben was relieved of this position at the end of March 1871 and was placed on the retiree list on 15 April 1871. He returned to Schochwitz and lived there until his death on 8 January 1887.

Legacy

Alvenslebenstraße in Hanover was named after him.

Family

Alvensleben married Karoline von Kalitzsch on 6 October 1836 in Dobritz. The marriage produced ten children, including: