2. von Plessen Grenadiers
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Origin and History
This converged grenadier battalion was created in 1757 from the two companies of grenadiers of Prinz Louis Infantry and the two companies of grenadiers of Spiznass Infantry.
During the Seven Years' War, the battalion was commanded by:
- since 1757: Major Berthold Dominik von Plessen
- from 1758: Major Friedrich Wilhelm von Lengenfeld
- from 1759: Lieutenant-colonel Friedrich Wilhelm Reinhard von Wizleben
The battalion was disbanded in 1765.
Service during the War
At the beginning of the war, the battalion was in the French service.
In 1757, the battalion joined the Austrian Army in Silesia. In October, it was at the Siege of Schweidnitz. On November 22, it took part in the Battle of Breslau where it was deployed in the first line of the infantry centre of Nádasdy's Corps. On December 5 at the Battle of Leuthen, the battalion was deployed in the first line of the Württemberger Contingent under Marshal Spiznass at the extreme far left of the Austrian positions as part of Nádasdy's Corps. This position became the main target of the Prussian attack.
On August 1758, the regiment, as part of the Württemberger Contingent, made a junction with the French Army of the Prince de Soubise army in Kassel. On October 10, the regiment took part in the Battle of Lutterberg where it was placed in the centre of the first line. On November 30, it was at the action between Lauterbach and Fulda.
On November 3 1759, the Duke of Württemberg was instructed by the Duc de Broglie to march to Gemünden with his contingent. On November 11, the Württemberger Contingent arrived at Gemünden. The duke then sent his hussars on the Kinzig River. On November 19 and 20, the Württemberger Contingent (about 10,000 men), led personally by the duke, arrived at Fulda and took up its winter-quarters to assist the French army. On Friday November 30, an Allied force under the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick launched a surprise attack on Fulda. About half the battalion was captured while covering the retreat of the Württemberger force.
In 1760, the Württemberger Army operated under Austrian subsidies. Thus, the battalion joined the Austrian Army in Silesia to fight against Prussia. In October the battalion took part in the siege of Wittenberg. It was its last noticeable action during the war.
Uniform
The grenadiers probably wore the uniform of their parent regiments. For details about these uniforms, please refer to the articles related to the Prinz Louis and Spiznass regiments.
Mitre Caps
| Prinz Louis Infantry: Prussian style mitre cap with a brass front plate decorated with a mirrored C (for Carl Eugen) surmounted by a star and a ducal crown, with a red bag, a blue headband, yellow piping and a red pompon | Spiznass Infantry: Prussian style mitre cap with a brass front plate decorated with a mirrored C (for Carl Eugen) surmounted by a star and a ducal crown, with a red bag, a mid blue headband, red piping and a red/blue pompon |
Colours
The converged grenadier battalions did not carry any colour.
References
Stadlinger, L., J. von, Geschichte des Württembergischen Kriegswesens – von der frühesten bis zur neuesten Zeit, Stuttgart, 1856
Zahn, Michael, Die Herzoglich Württembergische Armee im Siebenjährigen Krieg, Manuskript, Stuttgart: January 2008
N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
