Dagobert Graf von Wurmser

Dagobert Sigmund, Graf Wurmser (1724-1797) was an Austrian Commander during the early stages of the Napoleonic wars, serving in the war of Bavarian succession, and the French Revolutionary wars in Germany and Italy.

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Born in Strasbourg into an old Alsatian family, he had distinguised himself as a Hussar officer in the French army, but in 1762 he and his Legion pased into Austrian service, where he quikcly gained promotion to Generalmajor. Apointed an Inhaber (honourary colonel) of a Hussar regiment in 1775 and promoted to Feldmarschalleutnant in 1778, Graf Wurmser fought in the war of Bavarian Succession , where he distinguised himself. Guarding the right of the fortified camp at Jaromirz, he launched his hussars against the Prussians, ably supported by his Dragoons and artillery, halting and then repelling the enemy assaults. Over the winter he directed Klebek's Grenzers in a raid on Ditterbach, taking eight flags; the following January he destroyed Prince Hessen-Philippstal's force near Glatz when leading the third of a five-column assault. He was awarded the Commander Cross of the MTO by Joseph II for his exploits, and was General Commandant in Galicia in 1788-89.

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During 1793, Wurmser was victorious in Germany as Commander of the Upper Rhine Army, driving off General Custine before defeating a French attempt to relieve Mainz in July, winning a major victory at Offenbachj. From early September to mid-October he smashed through the Lautersburg and Weissenburg Lines - previously considered impregnable - and looted several towns. Despite being briefly relieved of command in January 1794, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the MTO for his inspiring leadership, and returned to direct the capture of Fort Louis on 27th October. Forced to remain on the defensive in early 1795, when the Prussians left the coalition, Wurmser resumed the offensive, taking Mannheim in November. He was promoted to Feldmarschall; and in June 1796 he was moved to Italy to shore up the shattered army facing Bonapartes advance. Ordered to relive Mantua, he broke throufh with a three-pronged assault and destoryed the French siege works; but Napoleon's counter-attack against Quasdanovich led to a French victory at Castiglione on 5th August. A second attempt in September had again broken through to Mantua with his Cavalry. This time he had to seek safety inside the fortress; he endured the remiander of the siege as its commander untill forced to surrender on 2nd February 1797. Wurmser's health was shattered by the siege, and he died six months later.

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