The Russian–German Legion was a military unit set up in 1812 by the banished Graf Peter of Oldenburg on the instigation of Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Formation Its first commander was Oberst von Arentsschild, and it was formed from non-French prisoners and deserters left behind in Russia during and after the French invasion earlier that year. Although called the "Russo-German Legion", the legion included Dutchmen and Belgians, who were also called up to join. Those prisoners of war wanting to join, were enlisted in the rank they had held in the French army. It was formed to fight against Napoleon as part of the Imperial Russian army but was paid by Russia's ally, Great Britain. Ernst Moritz Arndt, the private secretary to the pro-Russian Heinrich Friedrich Karl vom und zum Stein, acted as head propagandist to entrants to the Legion. He stayed in Saint Petersburg from 1812 onwards and attracted entrants by winning them over to fight to liberate Germany from its French occupying forces. Structure The Russian–German Legion was 9,379 strong in total and consisted of eight infantry battalions, one company of Jägers, two regiments of hussars and two batteries of horse artillery. Carl von Clausewitz was among notable soldiers of the Legion. Campaigns On 6 July 1812, after the contract of Peterswaldau, Great Britain received the task of providing for the Russian–German Legion and thus acquired the right to determine how and where it was to be deployed. At first, the Legion was directed south towards, where it became clear the legion was to be united with a Russian Corps and be deployed against the Prussians, with whom the Russians were still at war. A staff officer, Major Lager van Koch, then rode off to the Russian headquarters in Konigsberg, where he had an audience with the Czar. He soon returned with the order to march to Germany. Ludwig von Wallmoden-Gimborn was now put in command, and the Legion ventured to the lower Elbe, fought at Mecklenburg and Holstein, attacked Harburg and marched far as the Netherlands. In mid March 1814 it crossed the Rhine and fought in Flanders in order to blockade Antwerp. After returning from France in 1814, the Legion was received by Prussia, where collaborators were viewed critically, and any non-German personnel were discharged, and so on 2 June 1814 it was renamed the German Legion. The Legion moved to Kurhessen for exercises in