The successor to the estates, August Friedrich, was a thorough soldier; he married a Fraeulein von Diebwitz and acquired fresh estates in Pomerania, where he generally lived.
He rose to the rank of colonel, and fell fighting against the Austrians at Chotusitz in 1742.

"Ein ganzer Kerl" (a fine fellow), said the King, as he stood by the dying officer.

His son, Carl Alexander, succeeded to Schoenhausen; the next generation kept up the military traditions of the family; of four brothers, all but one became professional officers and fought against France in the wars of liberation.

One fell at Moeckern in 1813; another rose to the rank of lieutenant-general; the third also fought in the war; his son, the later Count Bismarck-Bohlen, was wounded at Grossbehren, and the father at once came to take his place during his convalescence, in order that the Prussian army might not have fewer Bismarcks.

When the young Otto was born two years later, he would often hear of the adventures of his three uncles and his cousin in the great war.