Naval Officer's Promotion Patent Signed by Kaiser Wilhelm I

This is a very handsome, well-preserved Saxon army officer’s promotion patent from König Johann of Saxony’s (1801-1873) reign. Johann’s reign extended from 1854 to 1873 and included some of the Saxon Army’s most important wars and events. Saxony participated in the 1864 Prussian-Danish War and, more importantly, fought against Prussia in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. The latter war essentially completed Germany’s unification under Prussia’s influence. The 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War further consolidated Prussia’s dominance when its König Wilhelm I was crowned and acknowledged as Germany’s first Kaiser at its conclusion. Saxony was more fortunate than Austria’s other defeated 1866 war allies. She did not lose territory or become absorbed into Prussia as did such hapless states as Hannover.

The document, which measures 12 3/4″ x 8 1/4,” unfolds to measure 12 3/4″ x 16 1/4.” The promotion patent’s subject, Martin von Dieskau, was promoted from the rank of Leutnant to Oberleutnant. The document is dated 21 August 1864 and is signed by König Johann and Bernhard von Rabenhorst, Saxony’s War Minister from 1849 to 1866. Rabenhorst was also a general in the Saxon Army and likely left office after the 1866 War with Prussia. The document is in very good condition for being nearly one-hundred-fifty years old. It has been folded in thirds both vertically and horizontally. A one-inch tear appears at the bottom of one fold.

Key Translations:

• Upper Portion: "By the grace of His Majesty, King of Saxony ... Martin von Dieskau ..."
• Main Body: "... for 7 years Lieutenant, in the exercise of his duties and ... officer of high integrity and competence. ..."
• Patent Section: "Patent ... under the Royal Majesty of Saxony ..."
• Seal Portion: "JOHANN BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF SAXONY ..."
• Signatures: "Bernhard von Rabenhorst ..."

Additional Information:

• Historical Analysis: For more on the political and military history of Saxony, you can visit Britannica - Kingdom of Saxony.
• Military Games and Movies: For those interested in the historical context, consider exploring games like Supremacy 1914 or movies like The Great War (1964).
• Ancestry Resources: For genealogical research, you can check Ancestry or MyHeritage.

This document serves as a significant historical artifact, providing a tangible connection to the military and political shifts in 19th-century Europe.