Oskar von Zoller | |
|---|---|
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| Born | (1809-11-13)13 November 1809 |
| Died | 10 July 1866(1866-07-10) (aged 56) Bad Kissingen,Lower Franconia, Bavaria |
| Allegiance |  Bavaria |
| Branch | Bavarian Army |
| Years of service | 1827 – 1866 |
| Rank | Lieutenant general |
| Commands | 3rd Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | Austro-Prussian War |
| Awards | Order of the Red Eagle (2nd class) Order of the Redeemer (silver cross) |
Oskar Freiherr von Zoller was a Bavarian Lieutenant general who was known for serving at theBattle of Kissingen during theAustro-Prussian War, being killed during the fighting.
He was the son of Lieutenant generalFriedrich Freiherr von Zoller (1762–1821), who had become aFreiherr in 1816.[1] In 1827, Zoller joined theBavarian Army as a Junker in theLifeguards Infantry Regiment inMunich, became an officer in 1828 and was promoted to captain in 1842. In 1840–41, while still a first lieutenant, Zoller accompanied Crown PrinceMaximilian Joseph (later King Maximilian II of Bavaria), as an orderly officer on a trip toGreece. On 3 January 1842 he received the silver cross of the GreekOrder of the Redeemer.[2] KingLudwig I then appointed him as one of his wing adjutants. He later becameHofmarschall of the crown prince, who also appointed him his wing adjutant after taking over the government.
In 1850 he returned to military service and became a lieutenant colonel in the 3rd Infantry Regiment "Prinz Karl von Bayern" inAugsburg, of which he became commander in 1853. Two years later, as major general, Zoller assumed command of the 7th Infantry Brigade inBayreuth.[3] As such, in 1860 he received the PrussianOrder of the Red Eagle, II Class[4] and in 1861 was promoted to Lieutenant General and Commander atNuremberg.[5]
At the outbreak of theAustro-Prussian War he became Commanding General of the3rd Infantry Division.[6] In this position he fell in theBattle of Kissingen in the village ofBad Kissingen, being mortally wounded by shrapnel after two horses had previously been shot under him.[7] Four months later, on 28 November 1866, during a visit to Bad Kissingen, King Ludwig II was shown the place where Zoller had fallen and then drove toNüdlingen, where Zoller's body had been laid in state in the vicarage. Previously, Ludwig's motherMarie of Prussia had been toKissingen and also visited the vicarage in Nüdlingen. She then had ordered a memorial stone from sculptor Michael Arnold in memory of Zoller.[8]
In the course of the Austro-Prussian War, Zoller is said to have asked the commander-in-chief of the southern German troops, PrinceKarl Theodor of Bavaria, three times for the relief of the Hanoverians, whereupon he is said to have been sentenced to three days' arrest. The BavarianMinistry of War later contradicted this statement.[9]
Zoller remained unmarried throughout his life.
In 1901, Prince RegentLuitpold of Bavaria approved a "Freiherr Oskar von Zoller'scheStiftung" which aimed to support war veterans.[10]