Helmuth Karl Bernliard Von Moltke, count, a German general, born at Parchim, Mecklenburg, Oct. 26, 1800. His father was a Danish general, and he was educated in the cadets' academy at Copenhagen, and at 18 became an officer. He entered the Prussian service in 1822, and after ten years of arduous studies and labors was admitted to the general staff. In 1835 he went to Constantinople, and Mah-moud II. conceiving a high regard for his genius, the Prussian authorities permitted him to serve him in improving the fortifications of Turkish cities and in the warfare against the Kurds and against Egypt. He returned to Berlin after the sultan's death in 1839, was employed for many years in staff service, and in 1856 became adjutant of Prince Frederick William, and in 1858 chief of the general staff of the army, which post he still holds. The rank of lieutenant general was conferred upon him in 1859. He planned the operations in the wars with Denmark (1864) and Austria (1866), accompanying on the former occasion Prince Frederick Charles, and on the latter King William. After the battle of Sadowa Moltke made every preparation for marching upon Olmutz and Vienna, but negotiated a five days' truce, which became the prelude to peace, He was rewarded with the order of the black eagle and the command of the Kolberg or second Pomeranian grenadier regiment.

Having long foreseen the contingency of a war with France, he was ready with his plans when it suddenly broke out in 1870, and their execution resulted in the most astonishing and uninterrupted series of victories ever achieved by one great military nation over another. His system consists mainly in making the different army corps advance separately and operate simultaneously in grappling with the enemy, and he brings to bear upon its elaboration a mind of singular clearness, a wonderful logical power, and a capacity of patient research of the highest order. Besides conferring on him the title of count and making him large donations, the emperor of Germany appointed him in 1871 general field marshal," and in 1872 life member of the upper house. In January, 1874, he was returned to the Reichstag, and in the following month delivered a speech showing the necessity of being prepared for retaliation on the part of France, which produced a strong impression. His most important work is Der deutsch-franzosische Krieg (Berlin, 1873 et seq.).