John de Bernewitz

Major-General Johann Heinrich Karl von Bernewitz (27 December 1760 – 13 December 1821), styled John de Bernewitz when in British service, was a British Army officer who served as General Officer Commanding the 7th Division during the Peninsular War.

Early life

John de Bernewitz was born Johan Heirich Karl von Bernewitz in Dresden, Saxony, on 27 December 1760. He was the first child born to Karl and Elisabeth von Bernewitz. The couple would go on to have six more children.

Military career De Bernewitz was commissioned into the Army of the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1775. He refused to join the Army of the Kingdom of Westphalia when Brunswick-Lüneburg was annexed by Westphalia in 1807. He then commanded the forces of Brunswick-Lüneburg during the rebellion by Frederick William, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel in 1809. He also briefly served as General Officer Commanding the 7th Division in Spain from 23 September 1812 to 25 October 1812.