James Francis Edward Keith - Prussian Service

Prussian Service

Judging, however, that his rewards were not commensurate with his merits, he offered his services to Frederick II of Prussia in 1747, who at once gave him the rank of field marshal, made him governor of Berlin in 1749, and soon came to cherish towards him, as towards his brother, the 10th Earl Marischal, a strong personal regard.

In 1756, the Seven Years' War broke out. Keith was employed in high command from the outset, and added to his Russian reputation on every occasion by resolution and promptitude of action, not less than by care and skill. In 1756, he commanded the troops covering the investment of Pirna, and distinguished himself at Lobositz. In 1757, he commanded at the siege of Prague and later in this same campaign he defended Leipzig against a greatly superior force. He was also present at Rossbach, and, while the king was fighting the campaign at Leuthen, conducted a foray into Bohemia.

In 1758, he took a prominent part in the unsuccessful Moravian campaign, after which he withdrew from the army to restore his broken health. He returned in time for the autumn campaign in the Lausitz, and was killed on 14 October 1758 at Hochkirch. His body was honourably buried on the field by Marshal Daun and General Lacy, the son of his old commander in Russia. He was transferred shortly afterwards by Frederick to the garrison church of Berlin.

Keith died unmarried, but had several children by his mistress, Eva Merthen, a Swedish prisoner captured by him in the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743).

Many memorials were erected to him by the king, Prince Henry, and others. In 1889, the 22nd Infantry Regiment (1st Upper Silesian) was named after him. Hochkirch plans to erect a stone tablet inscribed to Keith outside its church, to stand with others dedicated to the victims of Prussia's defeat by Austria on 14 October 1758.