Peter von Vécsey

Peter von Vecsey
Allegiance	Habsburg Monarchy
Service/branch	Cavalry Infantry
Rank	General-Major
Battles/wars	French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars
Awards	Freiherr (Baron) title Military Order of Maria Theresa

Peter, Freiherr von Vecsey (1768-1809) was an Imperial Austrian noble and military commander who took part to the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars. As a Freiherr (Baron), he was a member of the Austrian landless nobility.

Career

Having joined the military at age 17, Vecsey served in the Austrian cavalry regiments. As a rittmeister, he served in the Kaiser Chevaulegers regiment during the War of the First Coalition, leading 15 troopers in a remarked action on 25 August 1796, in which he captured a large number of French prisoners. He was also involved in a brilliant action at the battle of Riegel on 20 October that year, when he led a charge that captured an enemy outpost, with its defending infantry and two guns. He was wounded in this action and received the distinguished Military Order of Maria Theresa, as well as his nobiliary title.

He became renowned for leading from the front and became an Oberst (Colonel) of the 3rd Hussar regiment, whom he led at the battle of Caldiero in 1805, during the War of the Third Coalition. Later, he was promoted to General-major and in 1809, during the War of the Fifth Coalition, he was given command of a flank brigade from the Austrian II Corps. In July that year, he took part to the battle of Wagram, where his unit was attached to VI Corps, under Johann von Klenau. He was killed leading his men during the second day of this battle.

Sources

• Hollins, David - "Austrian commanders of the Napoleonic Wars 1792-1815", Osprey Publishing, Elite 101. 2004. ISBN 1-84176-664-X