Theodor von Reding

Theodor von Reding (5 July 1755 – 23 April 1809) was a Swiss mercenary who served in the Spanish Army. He was a governor and military commander in Spain during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Peninsular War.

Reding was born in Schwyz, Switzerland, to Theodor Anton Reding and Magdalena Freuler.^[1] His father was a lieutenant-colonel in the Spanish Army, and both of Reding's brothers, Alois von Reding and Nazar von Reding, also served as mercenaries in Spanish service.^[1] He joined the Spanish Army at age 14, and was promoted to captain in 1772, to lieutenant-colonel in 1781, and to colonel of a Swiss regiment in 1788.^[1] He led troops against the French in Navarre and the Basque Country during the War of the Pyrenees, a theatre of the French Revolutionary Wars, and was wounded in action multiple times.^[1] Promoted to brigadier in 1793 and to field marshal in 1795, Reding fought in the War of the Oranges against Portugal.^[1]

At the outbreak of the Peninsular War in 1808, Reding was Governor of Málaga. In July 1808 he fought under General Castaños at the Battle of Bailén,^[1] where the 3rd Swiss Regiment Reding fought with conspicuous valour. After that, he was appointed Captain General of Catalonia,^[1] where he tried to organize the Spanish forces and he was able to obtain 30,000 men for the war.^{[citation needed]} He was wounded at the Battle of Valls against French forces led by Gouvion Saint-Cyr, on 25 February 1809, and died in Tarragona on 23 April from consequences of his wounds.^[1]

Numerous activities and actions are being carried out currently to honor him. The Historical Recreation Group 3rd Swiss Regiment Reding is one of the biggest events that honor him.

• Nota «El general Reding torna a Tarragona» (art)

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