Karl von Urban

Karl (Carl) Freiherr von Urban (born 31 August 1802 in Cracovia; died 1 January 1877 in Brno) was an Austrian feldmarschall-leutnant and known as the Austrian Garibaldi for his audacious and decisive actions during the Revolution of 1848 against considerable stronger forces.

Carl von Urban, 1850

Revolution of 1848

In command of a 1,500-strong force of Grenz infantry he was the first commander to make a stand against the Revolution in Hungary, being victorious against the 10,000-strong revolt of the Székelys,[1] and on 18 November 1848 he defeated the insurgents at Klausenburg.[2]

Second Italian War of Independence 1959

During the Italian Campaign of 1859, von Urban commanded the IX. Army Corps, an independent mobile division, and was responsible for the only Austrian victories in this war, which resulted in defeat for the Austrian Empire.

In the Battle of Montebello on May 20, the first in the conflict, Karl von Urban faced the French and Sardinian Armies. Despite being outnumbered in men and firepower, von Urban managed to resist the enemy's assaults for almost the entire day, only retreating with the arrival of the Sardinian Cavalry. For his valour and ability displayed during this battle, Von Urban was distinguished with honours by the Emperor Franz Joseph.

He was ordered by Ferenc Gyulay to check Garibaldis Alpine Hunters on the Austrian right flank[3] and, due to the Franco-Sardinian advance after the Battle of Magenta and the defeats at the Battle of Varese and San Fermo, von Urban retreated to the Mincio and was changed to defend the rearguard of the retreating Austrian Army. At the Battle of Treponti on June 15, Von Urban defeated Garibaldi, who was pursuing the Austrians.

After the Battle of Treponti, von Urban was appointed supreme commander over Verona[2], the Imperial Headquarters and main fortress of the Quadrilateral, the Austrian strategic defensive system in Italy.

Following the Battle of Solferino and the Peace of Villafranca, Karl von Urban was appointed commander of the 4. Army Corps in Brünn, Bohemia.

Von Urban committed suicide on 1 January 1877 in Brünn.

Sources
  1. Kühne, Ferdinand Gustav (1859). Europa: Chronik der gebildeten Welt, Issues 27-52. Leipzig.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. Meyer, Herrmann Julius (1867). Neues Konversations-Lexikon. Hildburghausen.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. Lance, Adolphus (1859). The History Of Italy From The Fall Of Venice, Up To The Eve Of The Renewed Struggle In Mdccclix. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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