Liechtenstein's little army took up defensive positions on the Stilfser Joch to guard against possible attack by the Italians under Garibaldi's men. Feldweibel Andreas Walch and eight men from Ruggell were part of the contingent.
On July 4th, Prussia defeated the pro-Austrian forces. The armistice of Nicholburg was signed on July 22.
Liechtentsein's little army, undefeated but not tested in battle, marched home. On the way home an Austrian liaison officer joined the contingent. Thus 80 men had left for war but 81 marched into Vaduz for a ceremonial welcome.
Despite his early accusations of Liechtenstein's duplicity, Bismarck forgot all about Liechtenstein. The Principality was not even mentioned in the Treaty of Prague on August 23. The end of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 brought about the end of the German Confederation. In its place Prussia established the North German Confederation under Prussian leadership, of course. Austria and its allies, Liechtenstein included, were excluded. Thus Liechtenstein gained freedom of action in its international affairs. The Principality, no longer under any obligation to provide troops, disbanded its army in 1868.
Some fanciful myths have arisen about Liechtenstein and Prussia. One claims that Liechtenstein is still at war with Prussia as there was no peace treaty signed between them. The Treaty of Prague did not mention the little country. Years later it was claimed that Field-Marshal Moltke of Prussia always avoided Liechtenstein whenever he visited the nearby Swiss Resort of Ragaz for his health. He did not want to travel through enemy country. These stories have no historical base as Liechtenstein and Prussia resumed full diplomatic relations in 1867.
References:
Greene, Barbara, Liechtenstein/Valley of Peace, Liechtenstein-Verlag, Vaduz, 1967
Moore, Russell F, Principality Of Liechtenstein/A Brief History, Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp, New York, 1960
Pierre, Raton, Liechtenstein/History and Institutions of the Principality, Liechtenstein-Verlag, Vaduz, 1970
Playfair, Giles and Gibbon, Constantine Fitz, The Little Tour/ A Journey to Europe's Four Miniature States, pub 1953-4, The Travel Book Club, 121 Charing Cross Road, London W.C.2
Schlapp, Manfred, This is Liechtenstein, Seewald Publishing Company, Stuttgart, 1980
