Karl Christoph von der Goltz

Karl Christoph Freiherr von der Goltz (2 December 1707 in Heinrichsdorf near Dramburg – 30 June 1761 in Zerbau near Groß-Glogau) was a lieutenant general in the Prussian army during the reign of Frederick the Great.

Military career

Goltz entered legal studies at Thorn from 1716 – 1720. Upon leaving university, for the next three years he worked at the Chancellery, and later for the Crown, but he did not like the legal profession. In 1723, Goltz entered into Prussian military service. At the beginning of 1724, he was a fahnenjunker in the Forcade regiment. In 1726 he went through the Holy Roman Empire on a recruiting tour, with such great success that he was promoted to cadet later that year.

Family He was the second son of the rittmeister (cavalry captain) Henning Bernhard von der Goltz and his wife Maria Katharina von Heidebreck. His elder brother, Henning Bernd von der Goltz, was also a soldier.

Goltz married on 17 July 1737 to Frederike Margaretha von Burgsdorf a widow. ( 13. August 1713– 1773). The couple had 11 children: Caroline Ernestine (26 June 1738–8. October 1775) ∞ Dezember 1761 Gustav Ludwig von der Marwitz (1730–1797) Karl Alexander von der Goltz (20. August 1739–15. November 1818) Danish lieutenant general and Portuguese field marshal. Friedrich Bernhard (29 November 1740– 1741) Georg Friedrich (17 September 1742–24. November 1759 in Torgau) Charlotte Wilhelmine (23 December 1743–13 September 1792) married Ernst Ludwig von Wedel (18 October 1747– 28 January 1812) Johann Heinrich (9. May 1745– December 1745) Frederika Luise (12. September 1746– 1779) Henriette Auguste (21. February 1749;) August Leopold (4 May 1750– 1822) married Jeanette von Kurowski Johanna Albertine (13. April 1752) Lisette Amalie ( December 1755– 1757)