Lacy, Count Franz Moritz

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Austrian Feld Marshal and Chief of Staff (1758-1763)

born October 21, 1725, St. Petersburg

died November 24, 1801, Vienna

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Description

Detail of a drawing of Count Franz Moritz von Lacy

Franz Moritz Lacy was the son of Count Peter Lacy and Martha von Funcke from Livonia. The family of his father originated from the Irish County of Limerick. As a follower of James II, Count Peter Lacy had to gon in exile. He thus emigrated to Livonia in 1691. At Franz Moritz's birth, he was in Russian service. In the following years, he assumed command of the Russian army sent to Danzig and to the Rhine in 1734. In 1736, he was in Crimea and in 1741 in Finland.

Lacy spent his childhood in Saint-Petersburg and was then sent to the Cavalry Academy of Liegnitz in Germany.

In 1743, Lacy entered the Austrian service as a standard bearer in the infantry regiment von Browne

During the War of the Austrian Succession, Lacy served in Italy, Bohemia, Silesia and the Netherlands. He was twice wounded. By the end of the war, he had reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

In 1750, Lacy was promoted colonel and became chief of an infantry regiment.

In 1756, with the opening of the Seven Years' War, Lacy was again on active service. In October, he distinguished himself at the battle of Lobositz where he was wounded once more. He was promoted major-general after this battle.

On May 6 1757, Lacy took part to the battle of Prague where he was wounded again. On November 22, he was instrumental in the victory of Breslau. On December 5, he was wounded again during the battle of Leuthen where he covered the retreat of the defeated Austrian army.

In 1758, he was placed under the command of Field-Marshal Daun now commander-in-chief of all Austrian forces. This duo, later assisted by the brilliant Laudon, made head against Frederick II for the remainder of the war. In February, a general staff was created and Lacy was made chief of staff (quartermaster-general) to Daun. They adopted a very cautious strategy, trying to wear down the enemy rather than confront him in open battles. In July, Lacy led the the relief of Olmütz. On October 15, Lacy took part to the battle of Hochkirch for which he had sketched the plan for the surprise attack. In December, he received the grand cross of the Maria Theresa order for the victory of Hochkirch.

In 1759, both Daun and Lacy fell into disfavor for failing to win victories. Nevertheless, Lacy designed new infantry and cavalry regulations and the general regulations issued by Maria-Theresia on September 1. The success Daun and Lacy at Maxen on November 20, following a plan designed by the latter, improved their status. Lacy was promoted Feldzeugmeister for this success.

In 1760, Daun gradually began to doubt of Lacy's capacity for supreme command. The latter was now often in strong disagreement with Laudon about strategic decisions. Nevertheless, Lacy managed to cover the Reich Army and to push up to Berlin. However, he did not accomplish any significant strategic goal. On November 3, he took part to the battle of Torgau. Daun was wounded during this battle but refused to give Lacy the command of the army.

In 1763, after the peace of Hubertusburg, Lacy was made of the Hofkriegsrat (Court War Council).

In 1765, Lacy became Inspector General of the entire Austrian army.

In 1766, Lacy was made a fieldmarshal.

From 1768 to 1774, Lacy was president of the Hofkriegsrat. In this capacity, he was given the task of reforming and administering the army. He framed new regulations for each arm, a new code of military law and a good supply system. As the result of his work the Austrian army was more numerous, far better equipped, and cheaper than it had ever been before. Lacy, as military adviser, became very intimate with emperor Joseph II.

In 1773, Lacy laid down his offices, despite the admonitions of Maria Theresa and Joseph II, and went to southern France. On returning, he was still unable to resume office.

From May 28 1774, Lacy was a member of the State Council.

During the War of the Bavarian Succession, Lacy and Laudon were the chief Austrian commanders against the king of Prussia.

When the Turkish war broke out, Lacy was too old to make a significant contribution.

Lacy spent his last years in retirement at his castle of Neuwaldegg near Vienna. He died at Vienna on November 24 1801.

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