Austrian soldier, born at Strasburg, in Alsace, on the 7th of May 1724. He first entered the French army, but left it and joined the Austrian, serving through the Seven Years’ War, and that of the Bavarian succession. He became military commander in Gallicia, and in 1787 was made a general of cavalry. During the war with the French Republic, while advancing toward Mantua (to which Napoleon had laid siege), and whither he had been sent in 1796 with reinforcements, he was attacked by Napoleon’s full force and compelled to retreat into the Tyrol. A second time he advanced at the head of another reinforcement, but Napoleon this time attacked him in the rear, beating him in three successive battles—at Roverdo, Bassano and outside Mantua—compelling him to seek refuge within the walls. Repeated attempts to rescue him failed, and he capitulated February 2, 1797. He was afterward appointed military commander of Hungary, but before he could enter upon his new duties he died on the 22nd of August 1797.
