Karl Konstantin Albrecht Leonhard Graf von Blumenthal
(30.07.1810 - 22.12.1900)
place of birth:  Schwedt an der Oder, Brandenburg
Königreich Preußen:  Generalfeldmarschall

                          

Calm and resolute Prussian count and field marshal who was educated at the military schools of Culm and Berlin, he entered the Guards as Leutnant in 1827. After serving in the Rhine provinces, he joined the topographical division of the general staff in 1846. He took part in 1848 in the suppression of the Berlin riots, and in 1849 was promoted captain on the general staff. The same year he served on the staff of General von Bonin in the Schleswig-Holstein Campaign, and so distinguished himself, particularly at Fredericia, that he was appointed chief of the staff of the Schleswig-Holstein Army. In 1850 he was general staff officer of the mobile division under von Tietzen in Hesse-Cassel. He was sent on a mission to England in that year (4th class of Red Eagle), and on several subsequent occasions. Having attained the rank of Oberstleutnant, he was appointed personal adjutant to Prince Frederick Charles in 1859. In 1860 he became an Oberst and commanded the 31st Infantry Regiment. 

Graf von Blumenthal was chief of the staff of the III. Army Corps when, on the outbreak of the Danish-Prussian War of 1864, he was selected as chief of the general staff of the army against Denmark. He displayed so much ability, particularly at Duppel and the passage to Alsen Island, that he was promoted Generalmajor and given the order Pour le Merite. During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, Blumenthal served as Chief of General Staff to the Crown Prince of Prussia, commanding the 2nd Army. It was upon this army that the brunt of the fighting fell, and at Königgrätz it decided the fortunes of the day. On the field of Königgrätz the crown prince said to his chief of staff, "I know to whom I owe the conduct of my army," and Blumenthal soon received promotion to Generalleutnant, as well as the Oak Leaf  for his Pour le Merite. He was also made a knight of the Hohenzollern Order. From 1866 to 1870 he commanded the 14th Infantry Division at Düsseldorf.

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, Graf von Blumenthal was chief of staff of the 3rd Army under the crown prince. His soldierly qualities were never more conspicuous than in the critical days preceding the battle of Sedan, and his services in the war have been considered as scarcely less valuable and important than those of von Moltke himself. In 1871 Blumenthal represented Germany at the British maneuvers at Chobham, and was given the command of the IV. Army Corps at Magdeburg. In 1873 he became a General der Infanterie, and ten years later he was made a count. In March 1888, Blumenthal was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall, after which he was in command of the 4th and 3rd Army Inspectorates. He retired in 1896, and died at Quellendorf near Kothen on the 21st of December 1900. His father, Captain Ludwig von Blumenthal was killed in action during the Battle of Dennewitz in 1813.