1815 brave behaviour during the attack on Longwy

EXTRA-ORDINARY BEHAVIOUR OF SOME

PRUSSIAN ARTILLERYMEN DURING THE

ATTACK ON LONGVY

13/14 September 1815

translated and edited by Geert van Uythoven

“Before the real attack on Longwy in September 1815 could begin, first a detached defence work [lunette] with on it a blockhouse had to be captured. The Prince of Hessen-Homburg ordered to attack this position, and with great loss the Prussians stormed across the parapet. The blockhouse however was held by 25 French officers, which had taken over its defence, preventing with their fire the complete occupation of the entrenchment. Therefore it was decided to drive them out by using smoke. Eight artillerymen were assigned to undertake the execution, and were provided with pitch torches. Six of these lost their life in this effort, but both remaining men succeeded. The 25 French officers were forced to leave the blockhouse completely filled with smoke and surrendered to them. His Royal Highness Prince August promoted both men one rank higher at the spot, and recommended them for further reward by granting them the iron cross to His Majesty the King, which was complied with. Their names deserve to be known in the fatherland. They were the present-day NCO Morig and the Bombardier Dinstug.”

Source: Anonymous, “Ausgezeichnetes Benehmen einiger Preuβischen Artilleristen in den Belagerungskrieg v. 1815”, in ‘Militair-Wochenblatt’, 1. Jahrgang (Berlin 1816).