Theodor von Reding

Theodor von Reding Theodor and Reding of Biberegg ( born July 3, 1755 in Schwyz, † April 23, 1809 in Tarragona) was a Swiss general of the Napoleonic Wars in the Spanish service. He was the brother of the Swiss politician Alois von Reding. On October 22, 1772, he joined with 16 years in the Spanish army.

Under Francisco Javier Castaño he played in July 1808, Lieutenant-General a crucial role in the Battle of Bailen. He stopped at the top of the Swiss regiments of the political myth of the invincibility of the French in the Spanish War of Independence.

He was then ordered to Catalonia and was appointed governor of Tarragona and Captain General of Catalonia. In various battles he fought against the advance of the troops of the Napoleonic General Laurent de Gouvion Saint- Cyr.

The two generals faced each other at the siege of Roses from 6 November to 5 December 1808 at the Battle of Llinars on the 16th and the Battle of Molins de Rei on December 21, 1808. In the battle of Valls on February 25, 1809 Theodor von Reding was wounded in another defeat against the troops of Saint- Cyr by a saber cut on his left arm. He could still retire with the remnants of his troops to Tarragona. Saint- Cyr but found himself in spite of his victory will not be able to attack Tarragona. He offered to Reding, to negotiate a surrender; However, he refused.

While Theodor von Reding drew up new plans and organized troops, raided it in March 1809 febrile seizures. On April 23, 1809, he died of fever as a result of wounds suffered in the battle wound. He was originally buried in the Cathedral of Tarragona, 1892 but exhumed and transferred to the new cemetery.