The New International Encyclopædia/Lützow, Adolf, Baron

LÜTZOW, lụ'tsṓ, Adolf, Baron (1782-1834). A German soldier, remembered as the leader of a famous volunteer corps in the War of Liberation. He was born in Berlin, entered the Prussian Army in 1795, retired as major in 1808, but was restored to active service in 1811, and in February, 1813, was authorized to organize a corps of volunteers, destined to carry on a guerrilla warfare in the rear of the enemy. The corps was named after Lützow and known also, from its uniform, as the ‘Black Troop,’ or ‘Black Riflemen.’ It distinguished itself especially in the engagement around the Göhrde Forest, where Lützow was severely wounded. Having rejoined the army in France, he was taken prisoner in March, 1814, and, his corps being disbanded after the conclusion of peace, he received command of a cavalry regiment. Captured again in the battle of Ligny and delivered at Belle-Alliance, he was appointed colonel and in 1822 promoted to major-general. The valor of the Black Troop is commemorated in the poem “Lützows wilde, verwegene Jagd,” by Theodor Körner (q.v.), who, as Lützow's adjutant, met his death in battle.