Marshall of France. He entered the French artillery in 1779, and soon moved to the cavalry and the Garde du Corps. When the war broke out in 1792, he was promoted to colonel, and later to general officer where he served on the south east frontier. After distinguishing himself in the war at the Vendee, he was promoted to Division General. Between 1796 and 1797, he participated in the Irish expedition. During the abdication of the king of Sardinia, he stepped in to administer the civil and military government. The following year, he was active as the division commander during the campaign against the Austrians and Russians. Beginning in 1805, he saw action in Austria, Prussia, Poland, Spain and commanded the cavalry in Italy. Given the command of the Third Cavalry Corp in 1812, he aided in the retreat from Moscow. Although he was severely wounded in 1814 at Craonne, he joined Napoleon a year later on his return from Elba and was made Marshall and Peer of France. During the Waterloo Campaign, he commanded the reserve cavalry of the army, and was ordered to utilize the right wing to pursue the Prussians. Although he heard the sound of battle at Waterloo, he continued to followed his orders and won a battle of Wayre. However, because Napoleon lost at Waterloo, his failure to intercede was considered by some to be a betrayal. He gathered the remaining army, returned to Paris and resigned his command. There was an attempt to have him court-martialed, but he was exiled to the United States instead. He remained there until 1821. Upon his return to France, he was despised by both the court for following Napoleon and by the remains of Napoleon's army for not coming to his aid. In 1830, King Louis Philippe I returned his marshal's baton, and restored him to the Chamber of Peers.

Marshall of France. He entered the French artillery in 1779, and soon moved to the cavalry and the Garde du Corps. When the war broke out in 1792, he was promoted to colonel, and later to general officer where he served on the south east frontier. After distinguishing himself in the war at the Vendee, he was promoted to Division General. Between 1796 and 1797, he participated in the Irish expedition. During the abdication of the king of Sardinia, he stepped in to administer the civil and military government. The following year, he was active as the division commander during the campaign against the Austrians and Russians. Beginning in 1805, he saw action in Austria, Prussia, Poland, Spain and commanded the cavalry in Italy. Given the command of the Third Cavalry Corp in 1812, he aided in the retreat from Moscow. Although he was severely wounded in 1814 at Craonne, he joined Napoleon a year later on his return from Elba and was made Marshall and Peer of France. During the Waterloo Campaign, he commanded the reserve cavalry of the army, and was ordered to utilize the right wing to pursue the Prussians. Although he heard the sound of battle at Waterloo, he continued to followed his orders and won a battle of Wayre. However, because Napoleon lost at Waterloo, his failure to intercede was considered by some to be a betrayal. He gathered the remaining army, returned to Paris and resigned his command. There was an attempt to have him court-martialed, but he was exiled to the United States instead. He remained there until 1821. Upon his return to France, he was despised by both the court for following Napoleon and by the remains of Napoleon's army for not coming to his aid. In 1830, King Louis Philippe I returned his marshal's baton, and restored him to the Chamber of Peers.

Bio by: Winter Birds PA