Germany, Imperial. A Friedrich Karl Prince of Prussia Signed Request for a Non-Combattant 1870 EK

The letter is dated to Berlin on July 12, 1871 and addressed to Emperor Wilhelm I. It was sent by Friedrich Karl, Prince of Prussia. In it, Friedrich Karl asks for the emperor’s approval for the awarding of an Iron Cross 2nd Class on white ribbon to doctor Georg Horn from Potsdam who served under him during the Franco-Prussian war. The document is signed “Friedrich Karl Prinz von Preußen - General-Feldmarschall” in black ink. Measuring 213 mm (w) x 344 mm (h), presenting two folding creases, light overall creasing, some fraying of the edges, and one minor rip at the top, remains better than fine.

Footnote:Friedrich Karl of Prussia was born on March 20, 1828 in Berlin. He was the only son of Prince Carl of Prussia, a younger brother of Emperor Wilhelm I. Friedrich Karl fought as a Hauptmann (captain) in the First Schleswig War in 1848. The next year, in the rank of Major, he fought in Baden during the time of the revolutions of 1848/49 and was severely wounded during a charge with his Hussar squadron. During the following years of peace, Friedrich Karl was promoted to Oberst (colonel) in 1852, to Generalmajor (major general) in 1854, and to Generalleutnant (lieutenant general) in 1856. He studied military sciences and was instrumental in reforming the Prussian army. Since 1860, he served as commanding general of the 3rd Army Corps.

During the Second Schleswig War, Karl Friedrich was given supreme command of Prussian troops in Schleswig-Holstein in the rank of general of the cavalry. After the war was won, he went on to fight in the successful campaign against Austria in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 as supreme commander of the 1st army.

Friedrich Karl led the 2nd army in the Franco-Prussian War. On October 28, 1870 he was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall (general field marshal). After the victory was won, Friedrich Karl became general inspector of the 3rd army inspection and inspector of the cavalry of the Prussian army. He died on June 15, 1885.