Andreas Hofer (November 22, 1767 - January 20 1810) was a Tyrolean innkeeper and patriot and leader of rebellion against Napoleon's forces.
Andreas Höfer was born 1767 in St. Leonhard, Tyrol. His father was an innkeeper of Sandwirt inn and Andreas followed his footsteps when he inherited the establishment. He also traded wine and horses in northern Italy and learned the language. He married Anna Ladurner. In 1791 he was elected into Tyrolean Landtag.
In the war of the Third Coalition against French he became a sharpshooter and later a militia captain. When Tyrol was transferred from Austria to Bavaria in the treaty of Presburg in 1805, Hofer became a leader of anti-Bavarian movement.
In January 1809, he was part of a delegation to the Vienna where Archduke Francis II of Austria gave nominal support of a possible uprising. In April 9 1809 Tyrolese rebellion begun. In April 11 his troops defeated a Bavarian force in Sterzing which lead to the occupation of Innsbruck. Hofer became a leader of militia contingent of his valley and the most prominent rebel leader.
Hope of successful rebellion vaned when Napoleon defeated Austrian forces of Archduke Charles. Bavarians reoccupied Innsbruck, but when Napoleon's troops left, rebellion flared again. In Iselberg in May 25 and May 29 Hofer's troops again defeated Bavarians and drove them out of the country. Hofer took Innsbruck May 30.
In May 29 Hofer also received a letter from Emperor Francis where he promised not to sign any peace treaty would include giving up Tyrol. Austrian intendant came to rule Tyrol and Hofer returned to his home.
Napoleon defeated Austrian troops in Wagram in July 6. In July 12 the armistice in Znaim ceded Tyrol to Bavaria again. Napoleon sent 40.000 French and Bavarian troops to take over Tyrol and they reoccupied Innsbruck.
After little hesitation, Hofer joined the battle again. French promised a reward for his head. In August 13-14, his Tyrolese militia defeated French troops of Marshal Lefebvre on Bergisel in a 12-hour battle. Yet again he took Innsbruck.
Hofer became the overcommander and for two months ruled the land from Hofburg in the name of the Emperor of Austria. On September 29 he received a medal from the emperor and another promise that Austria would not abandon Tyrol.
Hofer's hopes were dashed again on October 14 when the Treaty of Schönbrunn yet again ceded Tyrol to Bavaria. Promised of amnesty, Hofer and his followers laid down their weapons.
November 12 Hofer received false reports of Austrian victories and tried to summon his troops again. This time there was little following and French troops easily demolished his troops. Hofer had to hide in the mountains in Passeier valley and French announced a reward of 1500 guilders for his head. His neighbor Josef Raffl betrayed his hiding place and Italian troops captured him January 2 1810. He was sent to Mantua in chains to face a court martial. Raffl was later found lynched.
Reportedly Napoleon had given and order to "give him a fair trial and then shoot him" (although he later claimed to Metternich that Hofer was executed against his wishes). Andreas Hofer was executed by a firing squad January 20 1810. He refused a blindfold.
Hofer became a martyr in Germany and Austria and a rallying point against the power of Napoleon.
1823 Hofer's remains were moved from Mantua to Innsbruck and in 1834 his tomb was decorated with a marble statue. 1818 his family was given a patent of nobility by the emperor of Austria. In 1893 his bronze statue was placed in Isenberg. Annual open-air play in Meran is based on his deeds.
