Telegram from the King of Prussia to
General der Infanterie von der Tann
of the Bavarian I. Armee Corps
18th December 1870
(Original German Text, with Notes)
The Bavarian I. Armee Corps saw a good deal of action during the Franco-Prussian War. Lightly engaged during the battles in Alsace in August, it was involved in very heavy fighting around Bazeilles outside Sedan. Subsequently it took Orleans in October, and then saw heavy fighting in at times severe winter weather against the French republican armies as they attempted to break through to Paris. Then early in December the corps, depleted by losses from battle and sickness, was withdrawn from the front line, first to garrison Orleans, and then to the siege lines around Paris as part of the III. Armee.
Although not one of the most efficient German corps, it suffered more losses in killed, wounded and missing than any other German corps-sized unit during the war except the Prussian III. Armee Corps- 557 officers, 11,002 ncos and men, and 1,259 horses (III.Armee Corps- 581 officers, 11,348 ncos and men, 1,073 horses).
On 18th December 1870 King Wilhelm I. of Prussia sent the commander of the Bavarian I. Armee Corps General der Infanterie von der Tann a telegram praising his troops- they had faced the enemy constantly for almost three months, had taken part in numerouis battles, and put up with considerable difficulties; in recognition of this the king was awarding General von der Tann the Prussian order "pour le mérite" and sending him 80 Iron Crosses Second Class to be distributed to deserving officers and men.
Telegram von König Wilhelm I. von Preussen
an den bayerischen General der Infanterie von der Tann
18. Dezember 1870
Das Ihnen untergebene königliche bayerische I. Armeecorps hat fast drei Monate unmittelbar am Feinde gestanden. In dieser Zeit hat dasselbe zahlreiche Gefechte geschlagen und Anstrengungen erduldet, wie selten einem Truppentheile zugefallen ist. Sie haben sich in dieser Zeit vielfach Anspruch auf Anerkennung erworben, in deren Bethätigung ich Ihnen hierdurch den Orden pour le mérite verleihe. Mit dieser Dekoration lasse ich Ihnen jetzt, wo das Armeecorps in sein früheres Verhältnis zur 3. Armee zurückkehrt, auch noch beifolgende 80 Kreuze zweieter Klasse zugehen, und ermächtige Sie, dieselben an Offiziere und Mannschaften des königlich bayerischen I. Armeecorps zu vertheilen, die sich unter stattgehabten schwierigen Verhältnissen besonders ausgezeichnet haben.
Versailles, den 18. Dezember 1870
Website "The Franco-Prussian War 1870-71"
©Martin Tomczak 2004