LIST, FREDERIK CAREL

by Geert van Uythoven

Born 1784, List started his military career as a cadet with the Dutch infantry on 24 June 1797, after a short time transferring to the artillery. Transferred again, to the horse artillery this time, as a 2nd lieutenant he took part in the 1805 campaign in Germany. On 17 August 1808 he was promoted 1st lieutenant, placed with the Horse artillery company of the guard during the Kingdom of Holland. He served with this company in Zeeland during the British invasion 1809. Receiving the rank of 2nd captain, captain-adjutant-major, and captain commander, he took part in the 1812 campaign in Russia and the 1813 campaign in Saxony. He became an officer in the Légion d’Honneur. In 1813 he joined the Netherlands army. On 22 January 1814, by decree he was appointed major with the Horse artillery corps of the Netherlands army. On 8 August 1818 List became commander of the horse artillery corps, replacing Lieutenant-Colonel Hendrik Rudolph Trip. He was promoted to colonel on 20 December 1826. Initially on his own account, List experimented with percussion apparatus to fire cannon, with was being introduced with the Dutch artillery in 1827; an innovation which the French introduced only after 1848. List retained his post as commander of the Horse artillery corps until 23 December 1829, when he was appointed commandant of the 2nd Artillery Inspection. He commanded in 1830 the artillery of the Netherlands Field Army during the Belgian rising and the so called ‘Ten Day Campaign’ (Tiendaagse Veldtocht) in 1831. On 13 February 1834 he was promoted major-general of the artillery, finally promoted lieutenant-general of the artillery on 13 March 1843. He was head of the Ministry of War from 15 November 1840 until 25 March 1848. On 16 May 1848 he was pensioned out of the army, receiving a pension of 5,000 guilders. He lived in Wageningen, and died in 1868.

© Geert van Uythoven