Christian Ludwig Reissig
# Christian Ludwig Reissig

Christian Ludwig Reissig (later von Reissig) ( 24 July 1784 – 5 November 1847) was a German romantic poet, chiefly remembered for those of his lyrics set as Lieder by Beethoven, Schubert, Salieri, von Krufft and Diabelli.

## Biography

Reissig was born in Cassel to the knife- and instrument-maker Christian Reißig and baptized as Tileman Christian Ludwig Reißig some time between 24 July and 3 August 1784. He entered the Imperial Austrian Army in 1808 and as Rittmeister (cavalry squadron commander) and Oberleutnant participated in the Napoleonic wars of liberation, being elevated to nobility in recognition of his service. He was wounded in the Battle of Aspern-Essling and cited for bravery:

   At the storming of Esslingen on May 22 [1809] Lieutenant (later Commander) Reissig commanded a part of the Archduke Karl's regiment that was affrighted and put to flight by the enemy by whom they were greatly outnumbered. To recall them to their duty the officer cried 'Let he who is a brave Austrian and loves his Emperor follow me.' and fell on the enemy, followed by his fellows who fought like Spartans.

On 24 March 1815 von Reissig married Maria Carolina Barbara von Bernrath and had a son, Alois von Reissig (born 22 May 1822), by which time he was serving in the Spanish cavalry. He was buried in the family crypt in Szombathely.

## Footnotes

* ↑ Auszug aus dem 5. Heft der 1811 zu Pesth erschienenen Kriegsgemälde, Anekdoten etc., insbesondere des Jahres 1809 Seite 24 Nummer 18: „Bei dem Sturm von Esslingen am 22. May kommandirte des Lieutenant, nachmalige Rittmeister Reissig vom Infanterie Regiment Erzherzog Karl eine Abtheilung dieses Regiments, die durch die ungleiche Mehrzahl der Feinde furchtsam gemacht, die Flucht ergriff. Um sie zu Ihrer Pflicht zurückzuführen, ruft der Officier ihnen zu: ‚Wer ein braver Österreicher ist und seinen Kaiser liebt, der folge mir.‘ Mit diesen Worten stürzte er auf die Feinde los, die Seinigen folgten und kämpften wie Spartaner.“
