Hamburg Citizen Militia
Encyclopedia
The Hamburg Citizen Militia or Hanseatic Citizen Guard was a citizen militia
of the free cities
and Hanseatic
city of Hamburg
, formed from conscripted
citizens and inhabitants of the city. It was formed in 1814 and dissolved in 1868.
The Hamburg citizen militia should not be confused with the Hanseatic Legion
. During their time of coexistence, the militia restricted itself to ejecting the French garrisons of Hamburg and the other Hanseatic League
cities, whereas the Legion also participated in the rest of the campaign under Russian overall command.
(1618–1648), Hamburg had 50 to 100 men under arms.
The Bürgerwache or Bürgergarde (lit. citizen watch) was established around the beginning of the Thirty Years' War, and around 7,000–men—in 1617—were organized 19 companies, since 1619 in 4 battalions. The duties of the citizen watch included the defense of the city, to extinguish fires and general policing tasks. The men were conscripted, with excerptions only for officeholders of special offices or other privileged persons. During the 17th century the citizen watch was so undisciplined, that its tasks were to watch the fortification at night and to build fortifications only.
From 1810 to 1814 Hamburg was annexed by Napoleon I
. During the occupation, the Bouches-de-l'Elbe
department formed the 127th Infantry Regiment, which was annihilated in the War of the Sixth Coalition
(1812–1814). The city was besieged for over a year by Allied forces (mostly Russian, Swedish and German). Russian forces under General Bennigsen
finally freed the city in 1814.
From 1814 to 1866 Hamburg was a sovereign
country (like United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
, the Kingdom of France
or Prussia
) and member of the German Confederation
. The citizen watch and the citizen militia coexisted until Hamburg lost its military sovereignty in 1867, and the Infantry Regiment No. 76 of the Prussian army's 17th Division
was garrisoned in Hamburg.
On 15 January 1815 the first parade of the militia was held in Hamburg, with 2000 men. This date is considered as the anniversary of the militia and was celebrated every year with a feast of the officers corps or a parade. In 1815 the militia consisted of 4000 men infantry, 300 riflemen, 300 men artillery, and 100 cavalry, serving in the 6 city battalions, the 7th battalion in St Georg, and the 10th battalion in Ritzebüttel. In 1837 the 8th battalion St. Pauli was established.
and captains
for the militia. Lieutenants
and first lieutenants
were selected by an other commission. The commission had not the authority for general amendments of the regulations, this was a task of the Senate of Hamburg.
4 majors and their 4 adjutants supported the head of the militia (an Oberstleutnant
and since 1840 an Oberst
) as the general staff. The battalions were headed by a major, and a captain was commander of a company.
In 1814, 10 infantry battalions were planned, a battalion of 4 companies of riflemen, a corps of 2 artillery companies, and a cavalry corps with 2 squadrons. Of the 10 infantry battalIions, 6 should be established in the city of Hamburg, the 7th battalion was of St. Georg
, Barmbek, Hamm, and Horn
. The 8th battalions should be established in Billwerder, Ochsenwerder, and Finkenwerder
, the 9th in St. Pauli
, and the 10th in Ritzebüttel (now Cuxhaven). The 6 city battalions, the 7th and the 10th battalion, and cavalry, artillery, and riflemen were established first. The 8th battalion was never fully established.
s, members of the night watch and the police
. Members of the Senate were also free of the service in the militia. Because of the election of the officers by commissions close to the militia, the selection of the officer corps was separated from external influences. The duty regulations of 1814 emphasized, that the soldiers were citizens, and at the beginning patriotism
and enthusiasm filled the ranks of the militia, although the level of the officers corps sunk in the 1830s. Older officers resigned and new officers were either inexperienced, young or with low education, who often could not write.
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
of the free cities
Free Imperial City
In the Holy Roman Empire, a free imperial city was a city formally ruled by the emperor only — as opposed to the majority of cities in the Empire, which were governed by one of the many princes of the Empire, such as dukes or prince-bishops...
and Hanseatic
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
city of Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, formed from conscripted
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
citizens and inhabitants of the city. It was formed in 1814 and dissolved in 1868.
The Hamburg citizen militia should not be confused with the Hanseatic Legion
Hanseatic Legion
The Hanseatic Legion was a military unit, first formed of a group of citizens of Hamburg. They had met in 1813 on the instigation of General Friedrich Karl von Tettenborn, in order to fight in the War of the Sixth Coalition...
. During their time of coexistence, the militia restricted itself to ejecting the French garrisons of Hamburg and the other Hanseatic League
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
cities, whereas the Legion also participated in the rest of the campaign under Russian overall command.
History
Since the late 12th century, Hamburg had military sovereignty —the right and the duty to defend itself— and used this for the first time in 1394 to conquer the fortress of Ritzebüttel—since 1926 part of Cuxhaven. During the decades before the Thirty Years' WarThirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
(1618–1648), Hamburg had 50 to 100 men under arms.
The Bürgerwache or Bürgergarde (lit. citizen watch) was established around the beginning of the Thirty Years' War, and around 7,000–men—in 1617—were organized 19 companies, since 1619 in 4 battalions. The duties of the citizen watch included the defense of the city, to extinguish fires and general policing tasks. The men were conscripted, with excerptions only for officeholders of special offices or other privileged persons. During the 17th century the citizen watch was so undisciplined, that its tasks were to watch the fortification at night and to build fortifications only.
From 1810 to 1814 Hamburg was annexed by Napoleon I
Napoleon I
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
. During the occupation, the Bouches-de-l'Elbe
Bouches-de-l'Elbe
Bouches-de-l'Elbe is the name of a département of the First French Empire in present Germany that survived three years. It is named after the mouth of the river Elbe...
department formed the 127th Infantry Regiment, which was annihilated in the War of the Sixth Coalition
War of the Sixth Coalition
In the War of the Sixth Coalition , a coalition of Austria, Prussia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden, Spain and a number of German States finally defeated France and drove Napoleon Bonaparte into exile on Elba. After Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia, the continental powers...
(1812–1814). The city was besieged for over a year by Allied forces (mostly Russian, Swedish and German). Russian forces under General Bennigsen
Levin August, Count von Bennigsen
Levin August Gottlieb Theophil , Count von Bennigsen was a German general in the service of the Russian Empire....
finally freed the city in 1814.
From 1814 to 1866 Hamburg was a sovereign
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
country (like United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
, the Kingdom of France
Bourbon Restoration
The Bourbon Restoration is the name given to the period following the successive events of the French Revolution , the end of the First Republic , and then the forcible end of the First French Empire under Napoleon – when a coalition of European powers restored by arms the monarchy to the...
or Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
) and member of the German Confederation
German Confederation
The German Confederation was the loose association of Central European states created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to coordinate the economies of separate German-speaking countries. It acted as a buffer between the powerful states of Austria and Prussia...
. The citizen watch and the citizen militia coexisted until Hamburg lost its military sovereignty in 1867, and the Infantry Regiment No. 76 of the Prussian army's 17th Division
17th Division (German Empire)
The 17th Division was a unit of the Prussian/German Army. It was formed on October 11, 1866 and initially headquartered in Kiel. It moved its headquarters to Schwerin in 1871. The division was subordinated in peacetime to the IX Army Corps...
was garrisoned in Hamburg.
On 15 January 1815 the first parade of the militia was held in Hamburg, with 2000 men. This date is considered as the anniversary of the militia and was celebrated every year with a feast of the officers corps or a parade. In 1815 the militia consisted of 4000 men infantry, 300 riflemen, 300 men artillery, and 100 cavalry, serving in the 6 city battalions, the 7th battalion in St Georg, and the 10th battalion in Ritzebüttel. In 1837 the 8th battalion St. Pauli was established.
Organisation
A commission—consisting of the oldest mayor of Hamburg, 2 senators, the city commander, the head of the militia, and 6 citizens—was the oversight authority and link between the government and the militia. Without an order of the commission, the militia could not be alarmed or commanded for any duty. The commission decided in case of suspensions for conscripted citizens, on the budget of the militia, and elected the majorsMajor (Germany)
Major is a rank of the German military which dates back to the Middle Ages.It equates to Major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer....
and captains
Hauptmann
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
for the militia. Lieutenants
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
and first lieutenants
Oberleutnant
Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
were selected by an other commission. The commission had not the authority for general amendments of the regulations, this was a task of the Senate of Hamburg.
4 majors and their 4 adjutants supported the head of the militia (an Oberstleutnant
Oberstleutnant
Oberstleutnant is a German Army and Air Force rank equal to Lieutenant Colonel, above Major, and below Oberst.There are two paygrade associated to the rank of Oberstleutnant...
and since 1840 an Oberst
Oberst
Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
) as the general staff. The battalions were headed by a major, and a captain was commander of a company.
In 1814, 10 infantry battalions were planned, a battalion of 4 companies of riflemen, a corps of 2 artillery companies, and a cavalry corps with 2 squadrons. Of the 10 infantry battalIions, 6 should be established in the city of Hamburg, the 7th battalion was of St. Georg
St. Georg, Hamburg
St. Georg is a central quarter in the borough Hamburg-Mitte of Hamburg, Germany. In 2006 the population was 10,551.-History:In 1410 the articles 17 and 18 of a contract between the Senate and the citizens were regulating the accommodation of the patients in the hospital St. Georg . This hospital...
, Barmbek, Hamm, and Horn
Horn, Hamburg
Horn is a quarter in the borough Hamburg-Mitte, in the eastern part of Hamburg, Germany. In 2007 the population was 36,890.-History:During World War II the Hamburg and therefore Horn were targets of the air raids of the so called Operation Gomorrah....
. The 8th battalions should be established in Billwerder, Ochsenwerder, and Finkenwerder
Finkenwerder
Finkenwerder is a quarter of Hamburg, Germany in the borough Hamburg-Mitte. It is the location of a plant of Airbus and its airport...
, the 9th in St. Pauli
St. Pauli
St. Pauli , located in the Hamburg-Mitte borough, is one of the 105 quarters of the city of Hamburg, Germany. Situated on the right bank of the Elbe river, the Landungsbrücken are a northern part of the port of Hamburg. St. Pauli contains a world famous red light district around the street Reeperbahn...
, and the 10th in Ritzebüttel (now Cuxhaven). The 6 city battalions, the 7th and the 10th battalion, and cavalry, artillery, and riflemen were established first. The 8th battalion was never fully established.
Social structure
The Hamburg Citizen Militia was not garrisoned and conscripted—every citizen and inhabitants of the city and theirs sons were bound to serve—nevertheless the conscription could be eluded with financing a substitute. Several occupational groups were excluded from the militia, among others priests, public teachers, physicians, bailiffBailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
s, members of the night watch and the police
Hamburg Police
The Hamburg Police is the German Landespolizei force for the city-state of Hamburg. Law enforcement in Germany is divided between federal and state agencies...
. Members of the Senate were also free of the service in the militia. Because of the election of the officers by commissions close to the militia, the selection of the officer corps was separated from external influences. The duty regulations of 1814 emphasized, that the soldiers were citizens, and at the beginning patriotism
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
and enthusiasm filled the ranks of the militia, although the level of the officers corps sunk in the 1830s. Older officers resigned and new officers were either inexperienced, young or with low education, who often could not write.
Further reading
- Ulrich Bauche, Abschied vom Bürgermilitär, Beilage zur Hamburgensien-Mappe Hamburger Leben, zehnter Teil, Hamburg 1976
- L. Behrends, Kosten des Erwerbs des Kleingbürgerrechts durch einen Nicht-Hamburger und der Uniformierung als Bürgergardist (1844), in Mitteilungen des Vereins für Hamburgisches Geschichte, Hamburg 1912
- Hans-Hermann Damann, Militärwesen und Bürgerbewaffnung der freien Hansestädte in der Zeit des Deutschen Bundes von 1815-1848, Diss., Hamburg 1958
- F.H.W. Rosmäsler, Hamburgs Bürger-Bewaffnung, in fünf und dreisig Figuren dargestellt, Hamburg 1816
- W. Schardius, Heitere und ernste Erinnerungen aus den Dienstjahren eines ehemaligen Stabs-Officiers des Hamburger Bürger-Militairs, Hamburg 1881
- Franz Thiele; Hamburgisches Bürgermilitär 1848/49. Schicksalsjahre einer fast vergessenen Bürgertruppe, Hamburg 1974 (Maschinenschrift)