Maximilian Seyssel d’Aix
Maximilian "Max" Graf[1] Seyssel d’Aix (November 20, 1776 – September 12, 1855) was a Bavarian Lieutenant General.
Biography
Seyssel d’Aix was born in Munich as a member of the Seyssel d’Aix family, which moved from the Savoy to Bavaria in the beginning 18th century. He joined the army in his early years. He took part in the campaigns at the River Rhine in 1794 and 1795 in the rank of an Oberleutnant, in the war of 1800 as a Rittmeister, and in the campaigns against Austria in 1805 and against Prussia in 1806/07 in the rank of Major. In his mind he rendered outstanding services to the battle at Rothwaltersdorf on June 4, 1807, and asked for the bestowal of the Military Order of Max Joseph. Lieutenant General Von Deroy argued against and added to Seyssel d’Aix' request, that his battle activities had more likely to be punished than being awarded in public opinion. In the following years, Seyssel d’Aix took part in the war of 1812 as an Oberst and commander of the 22nd Light Cavalry Brigade of the Grande Armée. After a short stay at home in the garrison of Augsburg in the beginning of 1813, he returned to the front as commander of a combined Chevau-légers regiment, shortly before deployed in Bamberg in 1813, which was subordinated to the division "Raglovich". He proved in the Bautzen, and was awarded with the Knight's Cross[2] of the desired Military Order of Max Joseph for an activity on May 26, when he came to rescue of the division "Pacthod". On August 17, 1813, he and another officer and 40 cavalrymen were caught in the battle at Dornswalde (today a quarter of Baruth/Mark). After Bavaria joined the alliance, he was set free and returned to his regiment. He took part in further campaigns in France, also in the Alsace region in 1815. After serving as divisional commander, he was promoted to Generalkapitän of the Leibgarde der Hartschiere on January 13, 1837. Due to the fact that this was not requested by him, he asked to be retired several times, and was retired in 1845. In 1842 the important defense barracks of Germersheim fortress was named in his honor.[3]
Seyssel d’Aix was married to Princess Sophie of Yrsch-Pienzenau (1805–1872), who was appointed "Pallastdame" (Lady-in-waiting) of the Queen and was honorary dame of the Order of Theresa.[2] The couple had three sons and two daughters, named Edwin (1824–1912), Ludwig (1825–1895), Klothilde (1826–1891), Emma (born 1827) and Camil (1836–1895). He died in Regensburg.[4]
Awards
- Kurfürstliches Kämmerer-Dekret (1799)
- Knights Cross of the Military Order of Max Joseph (Bavaria)
- Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur (France, 1819), previously appointed Officier (1813)
- Honor Cross of the Royal Bavarian Ludwig Order (1828)
- Commanders Cross of the Royal Merit Order of St Michael (Bavaria, 1838)
- Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (Russia, 1838)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold (Austria, 1844)
References and notes
- ↑ Regarding personal names: Until 1919, Graf was a title, translated as Count, not a first or middle name. The female form is Gräfin. In Germany since 1919, it forms part of family names.
- 1 2 Urkunden- und Dokumentennachlass des Generalcapitain der Leibgarde der Hartschiere Generalleutnant Maximilian Graf von Seyssel d'Aix (1776-1855) (German).
- ↑ ADB (de)
- ↑ Count Maximilian of Seyssel-Aix, RootsWeb.