Count Andrew O'Reilly

Alfred Webb

A Compendium of Irish Biography

1878

O'Reilly, Andrew, Count, an Austrian Field-Marshal, was born in Ireland in 1740. When young he entered the Austrian service, and soon distinguished himself. Under Maria Theresa he served in the Seven Years' War, and under Joseph II., in the campaign against the Turks. He was a major when war broke out between Austria and France, in April 1792. He signalized himself at Marchiennes, became a general officer, and served at the battle of Amberg in 1796, and at Ulm the same year. When the French, commanded by Moreau, passed the Rhine at Kehl (April 1797), and routed the Austrians, O'Reilly was wounded and taken prisoner. He was soon exchanged, and filled positions of trust in the Austrian dominions. At Austerlitz (2nd December 1805) he commanded a body of cavalry. In 1809 he served under Archduke Maximilian, and was made Governor of Vienna, which he was compelled to surrender to the French, 12th May 1809, after a short bombardment. The rest of his life was passed in retirement: he died at Vienna in 1832, aged 92.

Sources

34. Biographie Générale. 46 vols. Paris, 1855-'66. An interleaved copy, copiously noted by the late Dr. Thomas Fisher, Assistant Librarian of Trinity College, Dublin.

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