Joseph Nikolaus de Vins

Joseph Nikolaus de Vins
Joseph Baron Nikolaus de Vins
Born	1732 (1732) Mantua, Lombardy, Habsburg Austria
Died	26 September 1798 (1798-09-27) (aged 65) Vienna, Habsburg Austria
Allegiance	Habsburg monarchy
Service / branch	Infantry
Rank	Feldzeugmeister
Battles / wars	Seven Years' War Austro-Turkish War (1788–1791) French Revolutionary Wars
Awards	Military Order of Maria Theresa, KC 1758, GC 1790
Other work	Inhaber Infantry Regiment Nr. 37 Privy Councillor

Joseph Nikolaus Freiherr de Vins or Joseph de Wins (1732 – 26 September 1798), joined the army of Habsburg Austria and fought in the Seven Years' War where he was decorated for bravery. By 1773 he earned promotion to general officer. From 1783 he held important posts on the Military Frontier and led an independent corps in Croatia during the Austro-Turkish War. In the French Revolutionary Wars he commanded the joint forces of Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont from 1792 until 1795. Though the French were held at bay during his tenure, his slowness and poor health prevented Piedmont's lost territories from being recovered. Throughout the period much tension existed between the two allies. Ironically, the day after De Vins resigned, the French attacked and badly defeated his replacement. He was Proprietor (Inhaber) of an Austrian infantry regiment from 1784 until his death.