BLUCHER, GEBHARD LEBERECHT VON (blucher), a distinguished Prus sian General, born at Rostock, Mecklen burg-Schwerin, Dec. 16, 1742. He en tered the Swedish service when 14 years of age and fought against the Prussians. but was taken prisoner in his first cam paign, and was induced to enter the Prussian service. Discontented at the promotion of another officer over his head, he left the army, devoted himself to agriculture, and acquired an estate. After the death of Frederick II. he be came a Major in his former regiment, which he commanded with distinction on the Rhine in 1793 and 1794. After the battle of Kirrweiler in 1794 he was ap pointed Major-General of the Army of Observation stationed on the lower Rhine. In 1802, in the name of the King of Prussia, he toe:. possession of Erfurt and Miihlhausen. Oct. 14, 1806, he fought at the battle of Auerstadt. After the Peace of Tilsit he served in the Department of War at Konigsberg and Berlin. He then received the chief military command in Pomerania, but at the instigation of Napoleon was after ward, with several other distinguished men, dismissed from the service. In the campaign of 1812, when the Prussians assisted the French, he took no part; but no sooner did Prussia rise against her oppressors than Blucher, then 70 years old, engaged in the cause with all his former activity, and was appointed com mander-in-chief of the Prussians and the Russian corps under General Winzin gerode. His heroism in the battle of
Liitzen, Bautzen and Hanau, Katzbach, and Leipsic, added to his glory. He was now raised to the rank of Field-Marshal, and led the Prussian army which invaded France early in 1814. March 31, Bliicher entered the capital of France. His King created him Prince of Wahlstadt, and gave him an estate in Silesia. On the renewal of the war in 1815, in chief com mand, he led his army into the Nether lands. June 16 Napoleon threw himself upon him, and Blucher, on the 16th, was defeated at Ligny. In the battle of the 18th Bliicher arrived at the most deci sive moment upon the ground, and tak ing Napoleon in the rear and flank as sisted materially in completing the great victory of Belle Alliance or Waterloo. He was a rough and fearless soldier, noted for his energy and rapid movements, which had procured him the name of Marshal Vorwarts (Forward). He died at Krieblowitz, Silesia, Sept. 12, 1819.