February 06

Born in 1536, he was adopted by the Sassa clan and rose to prominence under the warlord Oda Nobunaga. Narimasa fought in key battles such as Okehazama and served as lord of Suo Province. After Nobunaga's death, he struggled to maintain his fief against Toyotomi Hideyoshi's forces. In 1588, following a failed rebellion, he was forced to commit seppuku, marking his dramatic fall. He is remembered for his military skill and a tragic end amid the unification wars.

After early service with the British Army, Lee joined the American cause in 1777. He played a key role in the Philadelphia campaign but grew critical of George Washington's leadership. At the Battle of Monmouth, his controversial decisions led to disorder and his court-martial. Lee spent his later years in relative obscurity and died in 1782. His career reflects the complexities of loyalty and strategy in the Revolution.

Ludwig von Wallmoden-Gimborn was born in 1769 into the Austrian aristocracy. He joined the Imperial Army early in life and distinguished himself in the Napoleonic Wars. Rising to the rank of Feldmarschall-Leutnant, he commanded troops in key engagements and earned a reputation for steadfast leadership. After active campaigning, he took on administrative roles and helped implement military training reforms. He was honored with high orders for his service and longevity. Wallmoden-Gimborn died in 1862, having served the Habsburg monarchy for over six decades.

George Murray was born in 1772 into a noble Scottish family. He purchased his first commission in the British Army and saw action during the Peninsular War. Rising to lieutenant-general, he combined his military career with political office as a Member of Parliament. From 1812 to 1827, he served as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies under Prince Regent George IV, overseeing post-Napoleonic military reforms and colonial administration. His tenure saw efforts to improve army pay, discipline, and veterans' welfare. He died in 1830, leaving a legacy as both a soldier and a policymaker.

John Keane was born in 1781 in Waterford, Ireland. He was commissioned into the British Army at age 17 and saw service in the Napoleonic Wars, including the battles of Vittoria and Toulouse. Promoted to lieutenant-general, he was created Baron Keane in recognition of his victories. From 1833 to 1835, he served as Governor of Saint Lucia, overseeing civil and military affairs. He later became Commander-in-Chief in Bombay and led the capture of Bharatpur in India. Knighted as a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath, he retired in 1840. He died in 1844, remembered for his bravery and leadership across the British Empire.

Joseph von Radowitz was born in Berlin and pursued a career in the Prussian army, rising to the rank of general. He acted as a diplomat for Prussia in various European courts, negotiating key treaties. In 1850, he was appointed Foreign Minister under King Frederick William IV. He advocated for a federal union of German states under Prussian leadership and sought moderate constitutional reform. His policies sparked controversy and led to his dismissal in 1851. His efforts laid groundwork for later debates on German unification and modern diplomacy.

Born in Upson County, Georgia, John Brown Gordon became one of Robert E. Lee's most trusted Confederate generals. He commanded infantry at key battles such as Gettysburg and the Wilderness campaign. After the Civil War, he entered politics and served as a U.S. Senator from Georgia from 1873 to 1880. He was elected the 53rd Governor of Georgia in 1886, focusing on reconciliation and economic development. A close friend of Lee throughout his life, Gordon remained influential in post-war Southern politics. He died in 1904, remembered as a skilled commander and statesman.

James Ewell Brown 'J.E.B.' Stuart graduated from West Point in 1854 and served with distinction before the Civil War. As a Confederate major general, he led cavalry at battles like First Bull Run and the Seven Days Battles. His famous ride around the Union Army in 1862 showcased his skill in gathering intelligence. Stuart's absence during the Gettysburg Campaign drew criticism, but he remained a charismatic leader. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in 1864, becoming one of the war's most celebrated figures. His legacy endures in studies of cavalry tactics and leadership.

Wilhelm von Scherff began his career in the Prussian Army, fighting in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. He rose through the ranks to become a general after distinguished service in the Franco-Prussian War. Beyond his field command, he wrote extensively on infantry tactics and army organization. His treatises emphasized systematic training, discipline, and the science of warfare. Scherff's works influenced military reforms in Germany and other European armies. He retired in 1901 and remained active as a military theorist until his death in 1911.

Leonid Gobyato was born in 1875 and rose through the Imperial Russian Army ranks to become a respected artillery officer. He is best known for inventing a portable trench mortar, revolutionizing close-support firepower on the battlefield. His design was successfully employed during the siege of Port Arthur and later in World War I, influencing future mortar development. Promoted to general, Gobyato continued to refine artillery tactics but tragically was killed in action in 1915. His contributions left a lasting impact on military engineering and set a precedent for modern indirect fire weapons.

Maximilian Fretter-Pico (1892-1984) rose to prominence as a German military officer in World War I and continued his career into World War II. He commanded several corps and armies on the Eastern and Western Fronts, demonstrating strategic acumen in complex operations. After the war, he was taken prisoner by Allied forces and later released in the post-war period. Fretter-Pico authored military analyses and contributed to post-war discussions on defensive tactics. His long service provides insights into the evolution of German military doctrine across two global conflicts.

Harry Haywood served in the US Army during World War I and later became an influential member of the Communist Party USA. He was a passionate advocate for African-American self-determination and wrote extensively on the intersection of race and class in America. Haywood held leadership roles in party organizations focused on promoting black liberation and was editor of key party publications. Despite facing government persecution and party disputes, he remained committed to socialist ideals and civil rights. His writings and activism helped shape early movements for racial justice in the United States.