In 1814, he became Chief of the Staff of General Walmoden’s
Russo-German Corps, which formed part of the Army of the North under
Bernadotte. His name is frequently mentioned with distinction in that
campaign, particularly in connection with the affair of Goehrde.
Clausewitz re-entered the Prussian service in 1815, and served as Chief
of the Staff to Thielman’s corps, which was engaged with Grouchy at
Wavre, on the 18th of June.
After the Peace, he was employed in a command on the Rhine. In 1818, he
became Major-General, and Director of the Military School at which he
had been previously educated.
In 1830, he was appointed Inspector of Artillery at Breslau, but soon
after nominated Chief of the Staff to the Army of Observation, under
Marshal Gneisenau on the Polish frontier.
The latest notices of his life and services are probably to be found in
the memoirs of General Brandt, who, from being on the staff of
Gneisenau’s army, was brought into daily intercourse with Clausewitz in
matters of duty, and also frequently met him at the table of Marshal
Gneisenau, at Posen.
Amongst other anecdotes, General Brandt relates that, upon one
occasion, the conversation at the Marshal’s table turned upon a sermon
preached by a priest, in which some great absurdities were introduced,
and a discussion arose as to whether the Bishop should not be made
responsible for what the priest had said. This led to the topic of
theology in general, when General Brandt, speaking of himself, says, “I
expressed an opinion that theology is only to be regarded as an
historical process, as a _moment_ in the gradual development of the
human race. This brought upon me an attack from all quarters, but more
especially from Clausewitz, who ought to have been on my side, he
having been an adherent and pupil of Kiesewetter’s, who had
indoctrinated him in the philosophy of Kant, certainly diluted—I might
even say in homœopathic doses.” This anecdote is only interesting as
the mention of Kiesewetter points to a circumstance in the life of
Clausewitz that may have had an influence in forming those habits of
thought which distinguish his writings.
“The way,” says General Brandt, “in which General Clausewitz judged of
things, drew conclusions from movements and marches, calculated the
times of the marches, and the points where decisions would take place,
was extremely interesting. Fate has unfortunately denied him an
opportunity of showing his talents in high command, but I have a firm
persuasion that as a strategist he would have greatly distinguished
himself. As a leader on the field of battle, on the other hand, he
would not have been so much in his right place, from a _manque
d’habitude du commandement_, he wanted the art _d’enlever les
troupes_.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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