The author: Benno von Studnitz (1830-1916), a member of one of the oldest German noble families originating in Moravia in the 14th Century, was the only child of a Major and battalion commander in the Royal Prussian 1st Guards Regiment of Foot. His father died when Studnitz was only four, and his mother remarried to Count von Zedlitz und Trutzschler, in whose household he grew up with step-siblings, one of whom was Count Robert, the later Prussian Minister of Culture. After graduation from the Knight Academy in Liegnitz, Studnitz entered the 1st Cuirassiers Regiment in Breslau in 1848. Following promotion to 2nd Lieutenant in 1850, he transferred to the 4th Cuirassiers Regiment in Munster. As a Captain he participated with his regiment in the 1864 campaign against Denmark, as well as in the 1866 campaign against Austria. In late 1866 he was appointed squadron commander in the newly created Dragoons Regiment number 9 in Lingen, where he became a Major in 1869. In July 1871 he transferred to the 3rd Baden Dragoons Regiment in Karlsruhe, and in 1875 as Lieutenant Colonel became commander of the 6th Dragoons Regiment. In 1878 he was promoted to Colonel and in 1883 became commander of the 13th Cavalry Brigade in Munster, being promoted to Major General in 1884. The following year he left active service, after disagreements with his divisional commander and retired to Breslau; something he could afford as due to inheritances and wise care of funds he had become extremely wealthy. During his service he received among other medals the Iron Cross, the Order of the Crown, and the Order of the Red Eagle, as well as being a Knight of Honor of the Order of St. John. The editor: Gilbert von Studnitz, the translator of his great-grandfather's journals, is the official genealogist of the von Studnitz Family Association which is based in Germany, and he has recently retired as a regional manager with the State of California civil service. He is also currently a City Commissioner for Historic Preservation Review in Benicia, California, where he resides with his wife and daughter.