The Flight Of The Wild Geese And
The Irish Brigades
During the Seven Years War efforts were made to find recruits from amongst the Irish prisoners of war or deserters from the British Army. Otherwise recruitment was limited to a trickle of Irish volunteers who were able to make their own way to France, or from the sons of former members of the Irish Brigade who had remained in France. During the Seven Years War the Irish regiments in French service were: Bulkeley, Clare, Dillon, Rooth, Berwich and Lally. By the end of the 18th century, even the officers of the Irish Regiments were drawn from Franco - Irish families who had settled in France for several generations. While often French in all but name such families proudly retained their Irish heritage.
Following the outbreak of the French Revolution the Irish Brigade ceased to exist as a seperate entity on 21st July 1791 when the 12 non French foreign regiments then in existence were intergrated into the line infantry of the French Army. losing their distinctive status, titles and uniforms. Many left the service in 1792 when Louis XVI was deposed, as their oath of loyalty was to him and not the French people. Napoleon Bonaparte subsequently raised a small Irish unit composed of veterans of the Irish Rebellion 1798.
Following the outbreak of the French Revolution the Irish Brigade ceased to exist as a seperate entity on 21st July 1791 when the 12 non French foreign regiments then in existence were intergrated into the line infantry of the French Army. losing their distinctive status, titles and uniforms. Many left the service in 1792 when Louis XVI was deposed, as their oath of loyalty was to him and not the French people. Napoleon Bonaparte subsequently raised a small Irish unit composed of veterans of the Irish Rebellion 1798.
Austrian Service
Throughout this period, there was also substantial numbers of Irish officers and men in the Armies of the Austrian Habsburg Empire, many of whom were based Prague. The most famous of these was Peter Lacy, Russian Field Marshal, whose son Franz Moritz von Lacy, excelled in the Austrian service. Also worthy of mention is Lacy's colleague and commanding officer, General Count Maximilian Ulysses von Browne, the Austrian Commander-in-Chief at the Battle of Lobositz. Much earlier in 1634, during the Thirty Year's War, Irish Officers led by Walter Deveraux assassinated general Albrecht von Wallenstein on the orders of the Emperor. Recruitment for Austrian service was especially associated with the midlands of Ireland and witht the Taafe, Nugent, O ' Neillan and
O ' Rourke gentry families.
O ' Rourke gentry families.
Count Peter von Lacy, or Pyotr Petrovich Lacy as he was known in Russia
1678-1751, was one of the most successful Russian Imperial commanders before Rumyanstev and Suvorov. During a military career that spanned half a century, he professed to have been present at a total of 31 campaigns, 18 battles and 18 sieges.
Peter Lacy was born on the 26th September 1678 in Killeady near Limerick into a noble Irish family of Norman origin, originally hailing from Lassy, Calvados. At the age of 13, during the Williamites Wat in Ireland he was attached to the Jacobite defence of Limerick against the Williamites with the rank of Lieutenat. The flight of the Wild Geese followed, with Peter, his father and brother joining the Irish Brigade in France. After his relatives lost their lives fighting for Louis XIV in Italy, Peter was induced to seek his fortune elsewhere. After two years of service in the Austrian Army, Lacy followed his commander, Charles Eugene de Croy, into Russian service. His first taste of land battle in Russia was the disastrous defeat of Narva, in which Lacy commanded a
1678-1751, was one of the most successful Russian Imperial commanders before Rumyanstev and Suvorov. During a military career that spanned half a century, he professed to have been present at a total of 31 campaigns, 18 battles and 18 sieges.
Peter Lacy was born on the 26th September 1678 in Killeady near Limerick into a noble Irish family of Norman origin, originally hailing from Lassy, Calvados. At the age of 13, during the Williamites Wat in Ireland he was attached to the Jacobite defence of Limerick against the Williamites with the rank of Lieutenat. The flight of the Wild Geese followed, with Peter, his father and brother joining the Irish Brigade in France. After his relatives lost their lives fighting for Louis XIV in Italy, Peter was induced to seek his fortune elsewhere. After two years of service in the Austrian Army, Lacy followed his commander, Charles Eugene de Croy, into Russian service. His first taste of land battle in Russia was the disastrous defeat of Narva, in which Lacy commanded a
unit of musketeers, holding the rank of Poruchik. During the Great Northern War he was seriously wounded on two occasions, gaining the rank of Colonel in 1706. The following year he had led a Brigade at Poltava, in which he greatly distinguished himself. From this point began his fame as a soldier. His next active service, still under Prince Repnin, was the siege of Riga ( Capital of what is now known at Latvia ) Lacy was reputedly the first Russian officer to enter the capital of Livland and he was appointed the first Russian chatclain of the Riga Castle in the aftermath. In 1719 Apraksin's fleet landed Lacy with 5,000 infantry and 370 cavalry near Umea in Sweden, where they proceeded to devastate a dozen iron founderies and a number of mills. Soon promoted General, he entered the Military Collegium - as the Russian Ministry of Defence was then known - in 1723. Three years later, Lacy succeeded Repnin in command of the Russian forces quartered in Livland, and in 1729 he was appointed Governor of Riga. These positions brought him in contact with the Dutchess of Courland, who before long ascended the Russian throne as Empress Anna. During her reign, Lacy's capacity for supreme command would never be doubted.
The War of the Polish Succession again called him into the field. In 1733, Lacy and Munnich expelled the Polish King, from Warsaw to Danzig, which was besieged by them in 1734. Thereupon the Irishman was commanded to march towards the Rhine and join his 13,500 strong contingent with the Forces of Eugene of Savoy. To that end his corps advanced into Germany and, meeting the Austrians on the 16th August, returned to winter quarters in Moravia with exemplary discipline. Lacy had reached the rank of Field Marshal with the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War, in which his success exceeded even the most unreasonable expectations. In 1736 he was in charge of the Don Army which took the key citadel of Azov, and in the next year his corps crossed the Syvash marshes into the Crimea, where he fell upon the 15,000 strong Crimean army and routed them in two battles on the 12th and 14th of June. In 1738, Lacys corps again landed in the Crimea and took the fortress of Cufut Oale near the Khan's capital, Bakhchisaray.
As soon as peace had been restored, Lacy was reinstated as the Governor of Livland, while Emperor Charles VI conferred him the title of Imperial Count. His indifference to politics prevented his downfall following Anna's death, when other foreign commanders fell into disgrace and were expelled from active service.
When the Russo-Swedish War broke out in 1741, the government of Anna Leopoldovna appointed him Commander-in-Chief as the most experienced among the Russian Generals. Lacy quickly struck against Finland and won his last brilliant victory at Vilmanstrand ( August 1741 ) The following year he rallied his forces and proceeded to capture Frederikshamn, Porvoo and Hameenlinna, by August encircling more than 17,000 Swedes near Helsingfors, and effectively bringing hostilities to an end. The war over Lacy withdrew to Riga and resumed command of the Russian forces stationed in Livland. He administered what is now Northern Latvia and Southern Estonia unti his death on the 19th April 1751 in Riga. His son Franz Moritz von Lacy had entered the Austrian service in 1743 and became one of the most successful imperial commanders of the 18th century.
The War of the Polish Succession again called him into the field. In 1733, Lacy and Munnich expelled the Polish King, from Warsaw to Danzig, which was besieged by them in 1734. Thereupon the Irishman was commanded to march towards the Rhine and join his 13,500 strong contingent with the Forces of Eugene of Savoy. To that end his corps advanced into Germany and, meeting the Austrians on the 16th August, returned to winter quarters in Moravia with exemplary discipline. Lacy had reached the rank of Field Marshal with the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War, in which his success exceeded even the most unreasonable expectations. In 1736 he was in charge of the Don Army which took the key citadel of Azov, and in the next year his corps crossed the Syvash marshes into the Crimea, where he fell upon the 15,000 strong Crimean army and routed them in two battles on the 12th and 14th of June. In 1738, Lacys corps again landed in the Crimea and took the fortress of Cufut Oale near the Khan's capital, Bakhchisaray.
As soon as peace had been restored, Lacy was reinstated as the Governor of Livland, while Emperor Charles VI conferred him the title of Imperial Count. His indifference to politics prevented his downfall following Anna's death, when other foreign commanders fell into disgrace and were expelled from active service.
When the Russo-Swedish War broke out in 1741, the government of Anna Leopoldovna appointed him Commander-in-Chief as the most experienced among the Russian Generals. Lacy quickly struck against Finland and won his last brilliant victory at Vilmanstrand ( August 1741 ) The following year he rallied his forces and proceeded to capture Frederikshamn, Porvoo and Hameenlinna, by August encircling more than 17,000 Swedes near Helsingfors, and effectively bringing hostilities to an end. The war over Lacy withdrew to Riga and resumed command of the Russian forces stationed in Livland. He administered what is now Northern Latvia and Southern Estonia unti his death on the 19th April 1751 in Riga. His son Franz Moritz von Lacy had entered the Austrian service in 1743 and became one of the most successful imperial commanders of the 18th century.
Franz Moritz Graf von Lacy ( October 21st 1725 - November 24th 1801 ) Austrian Field Marshal, born at St Petersburg.
His father, Count Peter Lacy, was a Russian Field Marshal, who belonged to an Irish family. and had followed the fortunes of the exiled James II. Franz Moritz was educated in Germany for a military career, and entered the Austrian service. He served in Italy, Bohemia, Silesia and the Netherlands during the War of the Austrian Succession, was twice wounded, and by the end of the war was a Lieutenat-Colonel. At the grand old age of 25 he became full Colonel and Chief of an Infantry regiment. In 1756 with the opening of the Seven Years' War he was again on active service, and in the first battle ( Lobositz ) he distinguished himself so much that he was at once promoted Major General. he received his third wound on this occasion and his fourth at the Battle of Prague in 1757. Later in 1757 Lacy bore a conspicuous part in the great victory of Breslau, and at Leuthen, where he recived his fifth wound, he covered the retreat of the defeated army.
His father, Count Peter Lacy, was a Russian Field Marshal, who belonged to an Irish family. and had followed the fortunes of the exiled James II. Franz Moritz was educated in Germany for a military career, and entered the Austrian service. He served in Italy, Bohemia, Silesia and the Netherlands during the War of the Austrian Succession, was twice wounded, and by the end of the war was a Lieutenat-Colonel. At the grand old age of 25 he became full Colonel and Chief of an Infantry regiment. In 1756 with the opening of the Seven Years' War he was again on active service, and in the first battle ( Lobositz ) he distinguished himself so much that he was at once promoted Major General. he received his third wound on this occasion and his fourth at the Battle of Prague in 1757. Later in 1757 Lacy bore a conspicuous part in the great victory of Breslau, and at Leuthen, where he recived his fifth wound, he covered the retreat of the defeated army.
Soon after this began his association with Field Marshal Daun, the new genaeralissimo of the empress's forces, and these two commanders, powerfully assisted later by the genius of Laudon, made head against Frederick the Great for the remainder of the war.
A general staff was created, and Lacy, a Lieutenant Firld Marshal at 32, was made Chief of Staff ( Quartermaster General ) to Daun. That their cautiousness often degenerated into timidity may be admitted - Leuthen and many other bitter defeats had taught the Austrians to respect their great opponent - but they showed at any rate that, having resolved to wear out the enemy by Fabian methods, they were strong enough to persist in their resolve to the end. Thus for some years the life of Lacy, as of Daun and Laudon, is the story of the war against Prussia. After Hochkirch ( October 15th 1758 ) Lacy received the Grand Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa. In 1759 both Daun and Lacy fell into disfavour for failing to win victories, and Lacy owed his promotion to Feldzeugmeister only to the fact that Laudon had just received this rank for the brilliant conduct of his detachment at Kunersdorf. His responsibilities told heavily on Lacy in the ensuing campaigns, and his capacity for supreme command was douted even by Duan, who refused to give him command when he himself was wounded at Torgau.
After the treaty of Hubertusburg a new shere of activity opened, in which Lacy's special gifts had the greatest scope. Maria Theresa having placed her son, Emperor Joseph II, at the head of Austrian Military affairs. Lacy was made a Field Marshal and given the task of reforming and administering the army ( 1766 ) He framed new regulations for each arm, a new code of military law, and a good supply system. As a rsult of his work the Austrian army increased in size, and was better equipped. Joseph soon became very intimate with his military adviser, but this did not prevent his mother, after she became estranged from the young Emperor, from giving Lacy her full confidence. His activities were not confined to the army. He was in sympathy with Joseph's innovations, and was regarded by Maria Theresa as a prime mover in the sceme for the partition of Poland.
A general staff was created, and Lacy, a Lieutenant Firld Marshal at 32, was made Chief of Staff ( Quartermaster General ) to Daun. That their cautiousness often degenerated into timidity may be admitted - Leuthen and many other bitter defeats had taught the Austrians to respect their great opponent - but they showed at any rate that, having resolved to wear out the enemy by Fabian methods, they were strong enough to persist in their resolve to the end. Thus for some years the life of Lacy, as of Daun and Laudon, is the story of the war against Prussia. After Hochkirch ( October 15th 1758 ) Lacy received the Grand Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa. In 1759 both Daun and Lacy fell into disfavour for failing to win victories, and Lacy owed his promotion to Feldzeugmeister only to the fact that Laudon had just received this rank for the brilliant conduct of his detachment at Kunersdorf. His responsibilities told heavily on Lacy in the ensuing campaigns, and his capacity for supreme command was douted even by Duan, who refused to give him command when he himself was wounded at Torgau.
After the treaty of Hubertusburg a new shere of activity opened, in which Lacy's special gifts had the greatest scope. Maria Theresa having placed her son, Emperor Joseph II, at the head of Austrian Military affairs. Lacy was made a Field Marshal and given the task of reforming and administering the army ( 1766 ) He framed new regulations for each arm, a new code of military law, and a good supply system. As a rsult of his work the Austrian army increased in size, and was better equipped. Joseph soon became very intimate with his military adviser, but this did not prevent his mother, after she became estranged from the young Emperor, from giving Lacy her full confidence. His activities were not confined to the army. He was in sympathy with Joseph's innovations, and was regarded by Maria Theresa as a prime mover in the sceme for the partition of Poland.
