MOLTKE, HELLMIITIT, Count von, Field-marshal of the German empire, and chief of the general staff, who planned the Prussian campaign of 1860 against Austria, and German campaign of 1870-71 against France. He belongs to an old family who had their seat for centuries in Mecklenburg, where Moltke was born, Oct. 26, 1800. Soon after his birth, his father, a military officer, left Mecklenburg and acquired an estate in. Holstein. He and his brother were sent to the military academy in Copenhagen, where: iron discipline and military frugality laid the foundation of his later character. In 1822. he entered the Prussian army as Cornet. His parents having by this time lost all their. fortune, be was left without any means whatever, and had to undergo many hardships to maintain himself in his position, from the very modest pay the Prussian officers receive; yet he managed to save enough to take lessons in modern languages, which afterward proved of great advantage to him. His eminent abilities soon procured him a place in the general staff. The time between 1835 and 1839 he spent in Turkey and Asia Minor, whither he was sent by the Prussian government to report on the war between that country and Mehemet Ali. Several anonymous publications of his, descrip
the of the country and the war, are worthy of notice. After his .return, he rapidly advanced through the different stages to the rank of general, continuing, however, on the general staff. His wonderful strategical powers were of immense service in the wars. with Denmark (1863-64), Austria (1866), and France (1870-71); bringing them all to. triumphant issues. At the end of the Austrian war he was rewarded with the order of" the Black-Eagle, in 1870 he was created a count, and in 1871 he was raised to the rank of field-marshal. He published a work on the Franco-German war. Moltke is a man. of great modesty and simplicity; he is reserved, and so little given to talk, that he has. acquired the surname of "the Silent." The same composure and equanimity that he. possesses in council, he also preserves in the heat of battle. See GERMANY.