Friedrich Wilhelm Adalbert v. Bredow
(24.5.1814 - 3.3.1890)
place of birth:  Gut Briesen - Friesack, Brandenburg


Prussian lieutenant general known for leading his 12th Cavalry Brigade against the French at Vionville-Mars-la-Tour (August 1870) during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Although outnumbered four to one, the his troops were victorious during what has been called "von Bredow's Death Ride" due to the high number of Prussian casualties (about half of those involved).

Adalbert von Bredow was born in 1814 to Major Friedrich von Bredow and his spouse Bernhardine Sophie von Wulffen. He joined the Garde-Husaren-Regiment in 1832, and by 1859 was in command of the 4th Dragoons Regiment in Lüben, Silesia. The regiment was later named for him in 1889. As a colonel, von Bredow headed up the 2nd Cavalry Brigade during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, where they were engaged at Trautenau and Königgrätz. At war's end he was promoted to major general in command of 7th Cavalry Brigade. Following his exemplary leadership during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, von Bredow was promoted to lieutenant general as he received command of the 18th Infantry Division. Von Bredow was married to Elise Cäcilie Friederike Kühne with whom he had eleven children. He died in March of 1890 back at the family estate near Friesack.