Alten was the son of August Eberhard von Alten (1722–1789), a member of an old Hanoverian family, and Baroness Henriette Philippine Marie Hedwig von Vincke-Ostenwalde.[1]
Alten's older brother, Victor Alten (1755–1820) commanded a cavalry brigade in Wellington's army.[2] Unlike his brother Charles, Victor is described as "unsatisfactory".[3]
Early career
Alten entered the service of the elector as a page at the age of twelve.[4]
In 1781 he received a commission in the Hanoverian guards, and as a captain took part in the campaigns of 1793–1795 in the Low Countries, distinguishing himself particularly on the Lys in command of light infantry. In 1803 the Hanoverian army was disbanded, and Alten took service with the King's German Legion (KGL) in British pay. In command of the light infantry of this famous corps he took part with Lord Cathcart in the Hanover Expedition of 1805. He also fought at Copenhagen in 1807.[4]
Alten was with John Moore in Sweden and Spain.[4] He commanded the 2nd Flank Brigade in Moore's campaign though he missed the Battle of Corunna.[5] He participated in the disastrous Walcheren expedition in the summer of 1809. He was soon employed once more in the Peninsula,[4] and at the Battle of Albuera he commanded an independent KGL brigade. An incident in the battle highlights both the abilities and the limitations of Alten.[citation needed]
Alten was ordered to evacuate Albuera village, which could be retaken by the Portuguese as soon as they could arrive, and move up the ridge to reinforce the dwindling line. The order was carried by a Portuguese ADC and Alten, a good and conscientious Hanoverian soldier, believed that it must have been distorted in transmission. He refused to move until relieved by the Portuguese.[6]
Charles Alten, [Craufurd's] successor in command of the Light Division being a general of much more pedestrian quality, who might never fail to make an attempt to obey Wellington's orders to the best of his ability, but could never supplement them by any improvisation of his own, of which he was incapable.[8]
Waterloo and later career
General von Alten auf dem Schlachtfeld von Waterloo
In 1815 Alten led Wellington's 3rd Division during the Hundred Days.[4] This command included Maj-Gen Colin Halkett's 5th British Brigade, Col Christian Ompteda's 2nd KGL Brigade and Maj-Gen Friedrich Kielmansegge's 1st Hanoverian Brigade. Parts of the division were heavily engaged at the Battle of Quatre Bras.[citation needed] At the Battle of Waterloo, the 3rd Division held the front line throughout the day and suffered very heavy losses.[citation needed] Severely wounded in the battle, Alten's conduct won for him the rank of Count von Alten.[4]
The von-Alten-garden in Hanover on the grounds of his former house
When the King's German Legion ceased to exist, Alten was given the command of the Hanoverians in France. In 1818 he returned to Hanover, where he subsequently became minister of war and foreign affairs, and rose to the rank of Field Marshal. At the same time, he was retained on the British Army list as Major-General Sir Charles Alten, GCB. He died in 1840. A memorial to Alten has been erected at Hanover.[4] He is buried in the Neustädter Kirche.[citation needed]
