Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz
(25.12.1796 - 04.08.1877)
place of birth:  Eisenach, Großherzogtum Sachsen-Weimer-Eisenach
Königreich Preußen:  Generalfeldmarschall

                          

Prussian field marshal Karl von Steinmetz fought with General Yorck during the Wars of Liberation. His older brother was killed at Leipzig, and Steinmetz himself was wounded more than once. In the battles in France he won the second class of the Iron Cross. During the Danish War at Schleswig, he distinguished himself to the point that Commander Wrangel remarked that Steinmetz had "been the decisive factor in the battle." He distinguished himself again at Duppel, for which he received the Pour le Merite from Prince William. 

In 1854, Steinmetz was promoted major general, but soon thereafter lost his youngest and only child, a daughter aged twenty-six. In 1857, Steinmetz received divisional command in within I. Army Corps, and then shortly thereafter was sent to command V. Army Corps in Posen. He was promoted general of infantry in 1864, and led his V. Corps to the war against Austria in 1866. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, he commanded one of the three armies assembled on the Rhine, the other two led by Prince Friedrich Karl and the Crown Prince. His inability to get along with Friedrich Karl led to his retirement in April 1871, but the 37th Fusiliers later bore his name as part of their regimental title. He died on 4 August 1877 in Bad Landeck, Silesia.