Theodor von Reding
Theodor von Reding (5 July 1755 – 23 April 1809) was a Swiss mercenary who served as a general in the Spanish Army. He was a governor and military commander in Spain, leading troops against French forces during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Peninsular War.
Biography
Reding was born in Schwyz, Switzerland, to Theodor Anton von Reding and Magdalena Freuler.[1] His father served as a lieutenant-colonel in the Spanish Army.[1] His brother was Alois von Reding.[1]
At age 14, Reding became a mercenary in Spanish service. He was promoted to captain in 1772, to lieutenant-colonel in 1781, and to colonel of a Swiss mercenary regiment in 1788.[1] During the French Revolutionary Wars, his troops fought against the French in Navarre and the Basque Country, and he was promoted to brigadier in 1793.[1]
Governor of Málaga (1806-1808), in July 1808 von Reding fought under General Castaños at the Battle of Bailén,[1] where the 3rd Swiss Regiment Reding fought with conspicuous valour.[citation needed] After that, he was appointed to the defense of Catalonia, where he tried to organize the Spanish forces and he was able to obtain 30,000 men for the war.[citation needed] He was wounded on 25 February 1809, during the Battle of Valls against French forces led by Gouvion Saint-Cyr, and died in Tarragona two months from consequences of his wounds.[1]
Legacy
Numerous activities and actions are being carried out currently to honor him. The Historical Recreation Group 3rd Swiss Regiment Reding is one of the biggest events that honor him.
References
External links
- HDS not on Wikidata
- All articles with unsourced statements
- Articles with unsourced statements from March 2022
- Commons category link is the pagename
- AC with 0 elements
- 1755 births
- 1809 deaths
- People from the canton of Schwyz
- Swiss nobility
- Swiss generals
- Swiss mercenaries
- Spanish generals
- Spanish commanders of the Napoleonic Wars
- 18th-century Swiss military personnel
- 18th-century Spanish military personnel
- Swiss military personnel of the Napoleonic Wars
- People of the Peninsular War