Andrei Grigoryevich Rosenberg | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other name(s) | Andrey Grigorevich; Diederich Arend von |
| Born | 1739 (1739) Courland Governorate |
| Died | 7 September 1813 (1813-09-08) (aged 74)[a] Eldership of Chyornoye, 32 km fromKamenets-Podolsky |
| Allegiance | |
| Service | The Infantry |
| Years of service | 1753–1805 |
| Rank | General |
| Known for | Military governorship ofSmolensk.[1] |
| Battles / wars | Treelist
|
| Awards | |
Diederich Arend von[d] Rosenberg orAndrei Grigoryevich Rosenberg (Russian:Андре́й Григо́рьевич Ро́зенберг,romanized: Andréy Grigór'yevič Rózenberg; 1739 – 7 September 1813[e]) was anImperial Russian general who led troops againstOttoman Turkey, thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth andRepublican France. During theWar of the Second Coalition he capably led anarmy corps under the famousAlexander Suvorov atCassano,Bassignana andthe Trebbia. In addition, his advance guardfought at Gavi when pursuing retreating French troops after theBattle of Novi. DuringSuvorov's Swiss campaign, Rosenberg'scolumn took theOberalp Pass around LakeOberalpsee; while in independent command,[f] he and hisrearguard badly defeated a French force underAndré Masséna in theBattle of the Muotatal (Muottental/Muttental) on 30 September – 1 October 1799.[1][3][4]
In 1739, Rosenberg was born into a family belonging to theBaltic nobility. He joined theImperial Russian army and fought against theKingdom of Prussia in theSeven Years' War andOttoman Turkey in theRusso-Turkish War of 1768–74, including participation in the navalbattle of Chesma, the ravaging of that city, and the capture of its artillery batteries. He also led troops against thePoles during theWar of the Bar Confederation in 1778–9.[1][5]
In 1798 Rosenberg was assigned to lead the first echelon of the Russian army sent to assistHabsburg Austria in Italy during theWar of the Second Coalition. During his corps' passage across Habsburg territory, Rosenberg kept strict discipline among his soldiers while ensuring that his hosts kept up their end of the bargain with regard to providing his men with food and living quarters. Rosenberg was remembered as being highly professional and concerned with the welfare of his men, but aloof in his dealings with the rank and file. In his first meeting with the new army commander he did not make a good impression onAlexander Suvorov. Nevertheless, he was reassigned to lead the second echelon whenWilhelm Derfelden assumed command of Rosenberg's original corps.[5]
Suvorov learnt that theArchduke Charles, who was withRimsky-Korsakov inSwitzerland, came out of Switzerland, leaving Korsakov alone againstMasséna'sFrench army. This news is very concerned Suvorov for the fate of Rimsky-Korsakov's detachment and forced to hurry toward Switzerland, to the upperReuss, he intended to go to the rear of Masséna's army, about which he notified Rimsky-Korsakov. Rosenberg's troops marched in an advanced column, opening the way for the rest of the troops. Steep ascents and descents slowed down the movement; and, it was pouring rain. The troops made their first overnight stay, from 22 to 23 September, on a snowy ridge, in a cold stormy night, at an altitude of 8,000 feet, without kindling to buildbivouac fires; thepacks all fell behind. At dawn on the 23rd Rosenberg first climbed the steep ascent to the snowy ridge, then descended into the gorge of the Reuss, and along it reachedDisentis, where he saw a spaciousvalley; the troops, continuing on their way, arrived at the lodging by midnight, having travelled in three days about 80 km; there were almost no stragglers: those who were exhausted were supported by their comrades. On the 24th of September Rosenberg had to go to theUrseren orAndermatt and on the way to attack the French, who stood in theUrner Loch position under the command ofGudin. The position fromItaly's side was unavailable: there was a narrow path leading to it, barely suitable for packs, on a steep, winding slope, crossed more than once by mountain streams. Having taken a detour, Rosenberg began to appear in the French rear and thereby induced them to leave the position occupied by him, on which Suvorov also led the attack. Fog and night darkness favoured the French retreat. Rosenberg, not knowing the terrain, stopped in the Urseren, where he arrived at 7 o'clock in the evening. At dawn on 25 September went on to theDevil's Bridge, also occupied by the French. It was necessary to descend into the Reuss River's gorge, to cross the turbulent stream, waist-deep in water, then to climb up to the left bank's mountain heights and to appear in the French rear. After a long battle the troops reachedAltdorf, whereLecourbe held a position. Rosenberg's troops lined up in battle order, soon knocked out the French and occupied Altdorf on the 26th of September, where they found a lot of supplies of all kinds, which were very useful for them.[1]
When Suvorov's Swiss campaign was over, Rosenberg was awarded theOrder of St. Andrew the First-Called on 9 November 1799. Soon there was a spat between EmperorPaul I with his ally,—and he ordered Suvorov to return with his army to the fatherland. The army went on a return march, inKraków; in March 1800,Field Marshal Suvorov said goodbye to it and handed over command of it to the senior man after him — Rosenberg, who brought the army to its homeland. Emperor Paul appointed Rosenberg (20 June 1800)military governor ofKamenets-Podolsky, troop inspector of theDnieper Inspection and chief of the Vladimir Musketeer Regiment. In 1803, on 23 October,Alexander I entrusted him with theKherson Governorate management, appointing him military governor ofKherson and inspector of theCrimean Infantry, — but not for long: in 1805, Rosenberg asked for dismissal from service due to ill health and on 25 March was dismissed with retention of all the salaries he was receiving. He died on 7 September 1813 in the old town of Chyornoye, 32 km from Kamenets-Podolsky, granted to him by the Emperor Paul for 50 years. Rosenberg was not married.[1]
