Ludwig von Wurmb

Ludwig von Wurmb (10 May 1736 – 5 April 1813) was a lieutenant general in the army of Hesse-Kassel during the Napoleonic Wars. In the English-speaking world he is probably best known for his service for the British in North America during the War of American Independence, when, as a lieutenant colonel, he commanded the Hessian Jäger corps in campaigns throughout the war. His military service career spanned more than 50 years.

Life Born into a noble family, he began military service during the Seven Years' War, rising to the rank of captain at age 23. Serving first in the Regiment von Ysenburg, he fought at Hastenbeck, Sandersburg, and Lutterberg before transferring to the Jäger corps. With the Jägers he fought at Bergen and was wounded in an assault on Lübeck in July 1760. Joining the Leib Regiment in 1762, he was captured after his 50-man position at Ullrichstein Castle was assaulted by two French brigades. In 1766 he was promoted major of the Leib Fusiliers, a position he held until his service in North America. After seeing further action in 1795, he returned to Hesse, where he took command of the Leib Infantry Regiment. In 1800, he was promoted to lieutenant general; he also later served on the landgrave's board of war and was governor of Kassel.

In 1805, under threat from Napoleon's armies, the elector again mobilized his forces, concentrating them under Wurmb's command in Kassel. Faced with overwhelming force in 1806, the elector fled, and Napoleon installed his brother Jérome as the new King of Westphalia. Wurmb reluctantly entered the service of the new kingdom, and continued to distinguish himself. Jérome gave him command of the official residence, promoted him to division-general in 1807, and awarded him the Order of the Westphalian Crown in 1810.