Blucher

bloo'ker (1742-1819), a field marshal of Prussia. He served under Frederick the Great in the Seven Years' War. A lieutenant having been promoted over his head, Blucher wrote to Frederick the Great as follows: "Von Jaegersfeld, who has no merit except being the son of a Markgraf, has been put over my head: I beg to request my discharge." Frederick ordered him to prison, but later wrote: "Captain Blucher is at liberty to go to the devil." During the Napoleonic wars Blucher rejoined the Prussian army and shared in its reverses. He was one of a number of Germans who did not believe that Napoleon's star would always remain in the ascendancy. He led the Prussian forces in the battle of Leipsic, and followed Napoleon persistently, it may be remembered, to the very gates of Paris. After Napoleon's return from Elba, Blucher took the field again at the head of the Prussian troops. His timely arrival at the battle of Waterloo completed Napoleon's defeat. Blucher's reputation as a fighter is second to none. His reputation for promptness and readiness to charge the foe won him the nickname of "Marshal Forward" by which he is still affectionately remembered in military circles. Numerous statues have been erected in his honor, among which may be mentioned a colossal one of bronze in his native town of Rostock, and one in Berlin by the famous artist Rauch, the same who modeled the statue of Frederick the Great.