QUAITA,

FRANCISCUS MARIA ALOYSIUS BARNABAS BARON DE

by Geert van Uythoven

De Quaita was born in Cologne (Germany) on 11 June 1743.

Early years

He started his military career when he was 18 years old, entering the Austrian army in Belgium as a cadet (1761). In 1764, he became a lieutenant in the cuirassier regiment ‘Grand Duke Ferdinand von Toscane’. Promoted 1st lieutenant in 1767. Became 2nd cavalry-captain with the regiment chevau-légers ‘Löwenstein-Wertheim’ in 1768. Next year, he was promoted 1st cavalry-captain and appointed squadron commander with the same regiment. Resigned from Austrian service in 1781, for unknown reasons.

Entered Dutch service as cavalry-captain and commander of the hussar company in the Walloon Legion de la Matha on 18 January 1785. Dismissed again 12 April 1786. Again entering the Legion de la Matha as a lieutenant-colonel and commander of the cavalry, during the Patriot rising of 1787. After the restoration of the Stadtholder William V, De Quaita was again dismissed (October 1787).

Batavian Army 1795 - 1806

After the Dutch Republic had been ran over by the French and the Batavian Republic was formed, on 8 July 1795 De Quaita entered Batavian service as commander of the Hussar Regiment. In 1796 he served under Dumonceau. From July-September 1797 he was embarked on the roads of Den Helder for the invasion of Great Britain, but nothing came of it. Campaign in North Holland 1799: Present at the battle of Zijpe 10 September; battle of Bergen (19 September); battle of Alkmaar (2 October), and distinguished himself during the battle of Castricum (6 October) were he on his own account ordered the decisive counterattack by a number of cavalry regiments, including his own hussar regiment, which saved the day for the Franco-Batavian army. Appointed commander of the cavalry of the Division Dumonceau on 19 July 1800, serving in Germany 1800-1801. Distinguished himself during the fighting near Oberschwach on 2 December, and again near Graffenberg (Nürnberg) on 18 December 1800. On 28 February 1801 appointed acting commander of the brigade of S.J. Bruce. Returned to Holland on 19 April of that year.

On 18 July 1803 De Quaita was promoted major-general while initially retaining command of his hussar regiment, remaining in active service. On 12 August he was finally relieved of his command and replaced by De Collaert. On 25 November 1803, he was appointed commander of the 2nd Brigade of the Expeditionary Division under Dumonceau. Serving with the Batavian troops under Marmont’s command in the training camp of Zeist 1804-1805. On 28 June 1805 assigned to the 2nd Military Arrondissement and stationed in Zwolle, but remaining in the training camp of Zeist for the time being. During August-September 1805, he embarked on the roads of Den Helder for yet another planned invasion of Great Britain, but again nothing came of it. After that again assigned to Dumonceau’s Expeditionary Division on 2 September 1805, to command the cavalry. Serving in Germany, returning to Holland March 1806. Appointed commander of the 5th Military Arrondissement (forces along the IJssel river) on 6 April 1806.

Dutch Army 1806 - 1810

When Louis Bonaparte became king of the Kingdom of Holland, on 6 July 1806, De Quaita replaced Von Heldring as commander of the 3rd Military Arrondissement (Northern Holland), stationed in Haarlem. On 16 September he was assigned to the 1st Military Department and stationed in Den Helder. Two days later, he was send back to the training camp of Zeist, assigned to the Expeditionary Army Force (Dumonceau). On the 24th of that same month, he was appointed director of Dutch recruitment in Germany (of which the depot was in Nijmegen). In addition, on the 26th, he was appointed commander of this city. On 8th October, he was replaced as commander of Nijmegen by Von Hadeln. During December 1806, De Quaita was appointed commander of the Dutch recruiting depot in Mecklenburg. Appointed a Knight in the Koninklijke Orde van Verdienste on 1 January 1807 (this order was changed in the Koninklijke Orde van Holland on 14 February 1807, then on 23 November 1807 in the Ordre de Réunion).

On 2 June 1807, De Quaita was appointed acting commander of the 3rd Military Department, to become its effective commander on the 26th of that same month. Appointed commander of the 7th Military Arrondissement (Overijssel) on 30 October 1807. On 20 December 1807 he received his pension (effective 1 January 1808). By Royal Decree of 28 December 1807 his annual pension was fixed at 2,400 guilders.

French Army 1810 - 1814

De Quaita would see no active service anymore. With the Kingdom of Holland becoming a part of the French Empire, by decree of Governor-General Lebrun, in 1812 his annual pension was changed in 5,040 francs. On 7 March of that same year, he became a knight in the Ordre de Réunion of France.

Netherlands Army 1814 - 1815

After the restoration of the Netherlands independence, on 25 October 1814 it was decreed that De Quaita would receive pension as a Netherlands major-general, fixed at 2,400 guilders (effective 1 January 1814). He died in Maastricht on 20 May 1817.

© Geert van Uythoven