Bülow von Dennewitz, General der Infanterie Friedrich Wilhelm Graf (1755-1816)

Bülow was commander of the 4th ‘Reserve’ Corps in the 1815 campaign. He was of Prussian noble descent, and joined an infantry regiment in 1768 as cadet. His first experience in combat was as second lieutenant in the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-79). He received his first brigade in 1808 and was promoted to corps commander in the 1813 and 1814 campaigns, known as the ‘Befreiungskriege’, German for Wars of Liberation. Bülow was made a count for his victory at Dennewitz in September 1813, and from 1812 had been Governor General of East and West Prussia. In June 1815, he was unaware that hostilities had started on 15 June, and his corps thus arrived late for the Battle of Ligny, contributing to the Prussian defeat. Wellington paid tribute to his part in the Battle of Waterloo, writing in his despatch of 19 June that ‘The operation of General Bülow upon the enemy’s flank was a most decisive one; and, even if I had not found myself in a situation to make the attack which produced the final result, it would have forced the enemy to retire if his attacks should have failed, and would have prevented him from taking advantage of them if they should unfortunately have succeeded.’