Johann Heinrich von Schmitt

Who was Johann Heinrich von Schmitt?

Heinrich Schmitt was a lieutenant field marshal in the Habsburg military during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.

He developed a sound military reputation as a surveyor, map-maker, and strategist during Austria's wars with the Ottoman Empire, He served on the Quartermaster's staff during the War of the First Coalition. As a major general, he was one of Archduke Charles trusted advisers during the War of the Second Coalition campaign in southwestern Germany.

In 1799, his reputation was tarnished by the assassination of the French delegates to the Congress of Rastatt in 1799, and he retired the following year. When war broke out again in 1805, he was recalled from retirement and assigned to the combined Russian-Austrian forces on the Danube. On 11 November, Schmitt was killed by friendly fire at the Battle of Dürenstein.