Johann Heinrich von Schmitt
Johann Heinrich von Schmitt (1743 – 11 November 1805) was an officer in the Army of the Holy Roman Empire. He was arguably one of the most successful chiefs of staff; he rose to the rank of Feldmarshalleutnant during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
Johann Heinrich von Schmitt | |
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Johann Heinrich von Schmitt, after his retirement in 1800. Copperplate engraving by Blasius Höfel 1797–1863) | |
| Born | 1743 Pest, Hungary or Bavaria |
| Died | 11 November 1805 (aged 61–62) Dürenstein, Austria 48°23′14″N 15°31′13″E |
| Allegiance | Habsburg Monarchy |
| Service/ | Chief of the Quartermaster General Staff of the Army |
| Years of service | 1761–1800; November 1805 † |
| Rank | Feldmarshalleutnant |
| Battles/wars | French Revolutionary Wars War of the Third Coalition |
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. He was the mastermind behind the Rhine Campaign of 1796. 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, but his complicity was not proven. He retired the following year due to conflicts with the new commander in chief of the Habsburg army. 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.