Ludwig Christian Geerg Friedrich Emil Alexander, prince of Hesse, son of Louis II. of Hesse-Darmstadt, and brother of the present empress of Russia, born July 15, 1823. He served in the Russian army in the Caucasus, and distinguished himself in 1845 during the storming of Shamyl's residence. In 1851 he retired from the czar's service, and married the daughter of the late Russian general Count Hauke, who was raised to the rank of countess, and in 1858 to that of the princess of Battenberg. In 1852 he entered the Austrian service, took an active part in the war against Italy in 1859, and was charged by Francis Joseph to negotiate a truce with Napoleon III. In 1800 he commanded the 8th corps in the war against Prussia. He was repeatedly defeated, and was obliged to publish in 1807 his diary of the war in self-defence.