Manstein entered the 3rd Infantry Regiment in 1822. In 1841 he was promoted to first lieutenant and he became an
adjutant on the staff of the I Army Corps. By 1864 he had been promoted to the rank of
Major General () and given command of the 6th Infantry Division, which he led during the
Second Schleswig War in the
Battle of Dybbøl and at
Als. During the Austro-Prussian War he commanded the reserve of the First Army, which he led during the
battle of Königgrätz and for which he was awarded the
Pour le Mérite. In 1867, Manstein was given command of IX Corps and was promoted to
General der Infanterie in 1868. When the Franco-German War started in August 1870, IX Corps became part of the Second Army of
Prince Friedrich Karl. Manstein and his Corps distinguished themselves at
Gravelotte. After the fall of the Second Empire, Manstein fought in the Loire Valley in the campaigns at Orleans and
Le Mans. For his services during the war he was awarded 100.000
thalers. He retired in 1873. ==Honours and awards==