d'Hauw, Ferdinand

MAJOR-GENERAL

FERDINAND D’HAUW

by Geert van Uythoven

Born in Bruges / Brugge, Belgium, 19 April 1771.

French Revolutionary Army

Joined the French army as a 2nd lieutenant in the Corps Belge on 1 July 1792. Transferred into the Régiment de Bruges on 15 January 1793, into the 3e bataillon de chasseurs-tirailleurs on 4 February 1794. With this unit participating in the siege of the fortress-city Grave 1794. 1792-1795 campaign in Brabant and Flandern (Belgium, northern theatre).

Batavian army

Entered Batavian service as a 1st lieutenant in the 2nd bat/5de Halve Brigade on 18 July 1795. Took part in the 1796 campaign in Germany and on the Rhine. Promoted captain-adjutant-major in the same halve brigade on 13 September 1799, while participating in the fighting in the Anglo-Russian invasion of Northern Holland 1799.

Participating in the 1800-1801 campaign in Germany. On 24 September 1801 promoted to captain in the 2nd bat/5de Halve Brigade, which became the 14de Bataljon Infanterie on 21 October 1803. In Hannover in 1803.

Army of the Kingdom of Holland

Captain in the Regiment Grenadiers van de Garde of King Louis on 24 September 1806. Promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the same unit on 28 April 1808. On 3 August 1808 major of the 7de Regiment Infanterie. Walcheren campaign 1809.

Kingdom of Holland incorporated in the French Empire

After the incorporation of the Kingdom of Holland in the French Empire, on 8 July 1811 d’Hauw was employed ‘à la suite’ of the 123e regiment d’infanterie de ligne. In Germany during that year. Major in the 101e régiment d’infanterie de ligne on 2 January 1812. Serving in Spain during 1812 and 1813. Finally becoming colonel, commander of the 34e regiment d’infanterie légère.

Netherlands army

Tried to enter the Netherlands army while retaining his rank as a colonel, which initially was refused. Resumed then as a lieutenant-colonel command of the 5e Bataljon Infanterie (relieving Major Stoecker) and at the same moment resuming command of the blockading forces of the fortress-city Grave (7 April 1814), the same fortress he took part in the siege 20 years earlier! On 14 April, d’Hauw again received the rank of (titular) colonel. After Grave, he was attached to the staff of General Janssens.

1815 campaign: on 25 March 1815 appointed commander of the 1st Brigade of the 1e Nederlandsche Divisie (Stedman). On 21 April 1815 promoted major-general. Stood under Prince Frederick at Halle during the battle of Waterloo.

Appointed 3rd Class Knight in the Militaire Willemsorde 1815. Engaged with his commanding officer Stedman in smuggling. Because of his excellent services in the army he was punished with being pensioned out of the army only (1 August 1819).