The New International Encyclopædia/Frederick Charles

​FREDERICK CHARLES (1828–85). Prince of Prussia. He was the only son of Prince Charles, brother of Emperor William I., and was educated at Bonn. He served with distinction in the early stage of the first Schleswig-Holstein war, which began in 1848. He next took part in the suppression of the revolutionary struggle in Baden in 1849, after which he devoted himself assiduously to the study of military science. Some time afterwards he delivered a lecture entitled “Die Kampfweise der Franzosen,” which subsequently appeared in the form of a treatise, and was republished in France as L’Art de combattre l’armée française (1860). During the Danish War of 1864 he won laurels by storming the fortifications at Düppel (April 18, 1864), and in the following month he was intrusted with the chief command of the allied forces. He was commander of the First Division of the army during the conflict with Austria (1866), and after winning the skirmishes of Podol, Münchengrätz, and Gitschin in rapid succession, obstinately defended the Prussian centre at the battle of Sadowa until the arrival of the army of the Crown Prince. Still more conspicuous was his leadership during the Franco-German War of 1870–71, when he commanded the Second Army, consisting of six army corps, 500 guns, and 260,000 men. He defeated Bazaine at Vionville (Mars-la-Tour) on August 16, 1870, and two days later, seconded by General Steinmetz, at Gravelotte, ultimately compelling Bazaine to capitulate with his army of about 180,000 men, and to surrender the fortress of Metz (October 27th). He subsequently defeated the Army of the Loire, under General Aurelle de Paladines, after a campaign of six weeks. After the war he became inspector of Prussian cavalry.