Post by Carl von Donop on Jun 9, 2014 0:59:43 GMT
Name: Carl Emil Ulrich von Donop, Count von Donop
Age: 43 (b. January 1, 1732)
Nationality: Hesse-Kassel
Title: Count von Donop
Rank: Colonel
Current Command: Donop's Brigade
Physical Appearance:
Carl von Donop is a German of slightly higher than average height at 6'0'. He is usually dressed from head to toe in either his finest or his colonel's uniform of the Hessian Grenadiers. Atop his head can generally be seen a well kept powdered wig. He is of an average build, neither lanky or built. His face is clean shaven. Carl's most distinguished features are his eyes, however. A steel grey-blue with piercing qualities that tell of a man sharp of wit and harsh in demeanor.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Background: Carl Emil Ulrich von Donop was born January 1, 1732 to the noble Donop family in the small German state of Hesse-Kassel. As the heir to an ancient noble family, military life was the natural path for him. He was well educated by the best tutors his father could afford. He became a cadet-officer in the service of Hesse-Kassel in 1744 at the age of 12. He saw his first action at the age of 14 against a minor peasant rebellion in a neighboring state. He fought well and reportedly sabered a peasant who was attempting to surrender to him. The reports were never truly confirmed but ever since he has been known to be ruthless in combat. Throughout the period, Carl was voraciously reading books on military theory and studying the terrain.
He was 24 when Hesse-Kassel entered the Seven Years War and by this time was a captain in the grenadiers. He fondly recalls this period as the best time of his life. Between 1756 to 1763, from the age of 24 to 31. Carl fought continuously in war. He relished the battlefield. It seemed God smiled down on him because he only ever suffered minor injuries and staved off any form of major illness. While his peers and seniors died or were removed, Carl would be ready to take their place. He rose steadily in rank and distinguished himself especially at the Battle of Emsdorf where French forces were handily routed by the combined forces of Hesse-Kassel, Great Britain, and Hannover. Ever since he has had a fondness for the British. By war's end he was one of the youngest Lieutenant-Colonels in Hesse-Kassel. When the war ended he found himself overly bored and hired out his services across Europe. He travelled often to England to stay in contact with his military friends there.
When the shots rang out in the Americas, Carl's heart leaped for joy. He originally intended to become a British Officer but when he heard his sovereign intended on allying with the British and sending Hessian soldiers over, Carl utilized his connections to gain command of the elite Grenadier Brigade and the unorganized elite Hessian Feldjäger Corps.
Donop's Brigade
Total Strength: 1,300
Age: 43 (b. January 1, 1732)
Nationality: Hesse-Kassel
Title: Count von Donop
Rank: Colonel
Current Command: Donop's Brigade
Physical Appearance:
Carl von Donop is a German of slightly higher than average height at 6'0'. He is usually dressed from head to toe in either his finest or his colonel's uniform of the Hessian Grenadiers. Atop his head can generally be seen a well kept powdered wig. He is of an average build, neither lanky or built. His face is clean shaven. Carl's most distinguished features are his eyes, however. A steel grey-blue with piercing qualities that tell of a man sharp of wit and harsh in demeanor.
Strengths:
- Experienced Commander: Carl von Donop has spent his entire life in the military service of the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel. He earned himself distinction and rank during the Seven Years War, especially during the Battle of Emsdorf where his brilliant command of Hessian infantry helped decisively defeat French troops in a resounding victory for the Allied forces.
- Intelligent: In an age where men were of many diverse intellectual pursuits, Carl von Donop has followed the trend. He has educated himself both academically and militarily. He is an excellent surveyor of terrain which has helped him immensely in battle.
- Well Connected: Of the lesser German Nobility, von Donop is probably one of the best connected. He has the ear of the Landgrave and friends in high places across Europe, especially in England. This has translated into a life on the fast track for promotions and commands as well as lucrative business dealings.
Weaknesses:
- Insufferable: Those beneath Carl in rank find him nearly impossible to deal with, even his own subordinates. It does not do much good for inspiring love in his command chain. Carl leads his unit with a heavy iron fist. He generally presents himself well before his rank and file men, inspiring them with his gentile nobility and coolness under fire. However, they usually find his disciplinarian style overly harsh. Few may love him, but they usually at least respect him.
- Arrogant: Drive for fame and fortune are the basic motivators for Carl. His success in life and social position have left the unfortunate habit on him of arrogance. While this trait has served him well on several occasions to make unexpected military maneuvers, it has usually been very dangerous. His arrogance has yet to cause him a major blunder yet, but the possibility always exists. Tragically, he seems unaware of this.
- Silver Spoon: While Carl is no stranger to the campaign lifestyle, warfare for him has always taken place in the sacred, civilized grounds of Europe. He is used to luxury even while on the campaign and is certainly unaccustomed to American temperature and "hardships".
- Tyrannical: Carl would call it "Justice", "Discipline", or "Necessities of War" but others would see it as the marks of a tyrant. Carl's unit is well drilled and well disciplined. His goal is to make his men more afraid of his wrath than the enemy's. He also has little regard for the well being of the "colonials". Carl isn't likely to win many friends nor inspire love from the Americans, loyalist or not.
Background: Carl Emil Ulrich von Donop was born January 1, 1732 to the noble Donop family in the small German state of Hesse-Kassel. As the heir to an ancient noble family, military life was the natural path for him. He was well educated by the best tutors his father could afford. He became a cadet-officer in the service of Hesse-Kassel in 1744 at the age of 12. He saw his first action at the age of 14 against a minor peasant rebellion in a neighboring state. He fought well and reportedly sabered a peasant who was attempting to surrender to him. The reports were never truly confirmed but ever since he has been known to be ruthless in combat. Throughout the period, Carl was voraciously reading books on military theory and studying the terrain.
He was 24 when Hesse-Kassel entered the Seven Years War and by this time was a captain in the grenadiers. He fondly recalls this period as the best time of his life. Between 1756 to 1763, from the age of 24 to 31. Carl fought continuously in war. He relished the battlefield. It seemed God smiled down on him because he only ever suffered minor injuries and staved off any form of major illness. While his peers and seniors died or were removed, Carl would be ready to take their place. He rose steadily in rank and distinguished himself especially at the Battle of Emsdorf where French forces were handily routed by the combined forces of Hesse-Kassel, Great Britain, and Hannover. Ever since he has had a fondness for the British. By war's end he was one of the youngest Lieutenant-Colonels in Hesse-Kassel. When the war ended he found himself overly bored and hired out his services across Europe. He travelled often to England to stay in contact with his military friends there.
When the shots rang out in the Americas, Carl's heart leaped for joy. He originally intended to become a British Officer but when he heard his sovereign intended on allying with the British and sending Hessian soldiers over, Carl utilized his connections to gain command of the elite Grenadier Brigade and the unorganized elite Hessian Feldjäger Corps.
Donop's Brigade
- [Bloch] Grenadier Battalion
- Commander: [Lieutenant Colonel Justus von Bloch (NPC) ]
- Unit Strength: 400
- American Engagements: None
- [Minnigerode] Grenadier Battalion
- Commander: [Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich von Minnigerode (NPC) ]
- Unit Strength: 400
- American Engagements: None
- [Linsing] Grenadier Battalion
- Commander: [Lieutenant Colonel Otto von Linsing (NPC) ]
- Unit Strength: 400
- American Engagements: None
- Feldjäger Corps
- Commander: Direct Command of von Donop currently
- Unit Strength: 100
- American Engagements: None
Total Strength: 1,300
