Hans Karl Friedrich Anton Diebitsch, a Russian general, born in Silesia, May 13, 1785, died near Pultusk, Poland, June 10, 1831. His father, a Prussian and afterward a Russian officer, sent him in 1797 to the house of cadets in Berlin, but made him enter the ranks of the Russian imperial guard in 1801. He fought in the battles of Austerlitz, Eylau, and Friedland, was made captain, and devoted himself to the study of military science during the five years of peace which followed the treaty of Tilsit. He served under Wittgenstein during the invasion of the French in 1812, and persuaded the Prussian general York to capitulate. As chief of Wittgenstein's staff in 1813 he distinguished himself at Lutzen, and was then attached as quartermaster general to the corps of Barclay de Tolly in Silesia. At Leipsic he was made by the emperor Alexander lieutenant general on the battle field. In the campaign of 1814, when Schwarzenberg advised the retreat of the allied armies, Diebitsch decided for the march on Paris, which terminated the war.

In 1815 he married a niece of Barclay de Tolly. Being made chief of the staff of the army, he accompanied Alexander through the south of Russia, and was present at his death at Taganrog in 1825. At St. Petersburg he distinguished himself during the outbreak of Dec. 25 by intrepidity, prudence, and humanity. The new emperor, Nicholas, rewarded his services with the title of baron, and afterward with that of count. In the war of 1828-'9 against Turkey he took Varna, and by marching across the Balkan forced the Porte to make the peace of Adrianople, and received the name of Zabalkanskoi (Trans-balkanian, that is, crosser of the Balkan). On the outbreak of the revolution in Warsaw, Nov. 29, 1830, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the army and governor of the provinces adjoining Poland. He crossed the Polish frontier Jan. 25, 1831, but the engagements at Wisniew and Stoczek, Feb. 11, at Dobre on the 18th, at Grochow and Wawer on the 19th, and still more the battles fought about the end of March in the vicinity of Praga, proved that fortune had left his banners.

Without profit-ing by the favorable issue of the battles of Nur, Lomza, and Ostrolenka (May 15-26), he removed his camp to Kleczewo, where he suddenly died of cholera.