Post by Jean Lannes on Apr 3, 2016 21:19:41 GMT
Seeing General William T. Sherman 's history posts I decided to do something similar. The Life of Lannes, I'll go over his life and tell you some of the reasons he is my favourite Marshal of France.
We start in 1769, the 10th of April to be exact. Lannes is born into poverty in Lectoure, Department Gers. He was someone who'd run away from school but he was very popular in his homecity, everybody'd be ready to go drink a glass of wine with him. He did however have one special thing, he hated the English. Like hardcore hating. Likely due to historical reasons. He was an apprentince-dyer but as soon as the Revolution started in 1789 he joined the military. He was elected leader of his unit and quickly joined the war in the Pyrenees, in his first battle he had to retreat (he didn't lead the battle, he was ordered to retreat) from the Spanish. He swore to never retreat again which he (according to what I've read so far) never did really. After this he mainly stayed in the same area and continued fighting the Spanish. In 1795 he married Paulette Marie the daughter of a wealthy banker. He was later placed under the command of General Augereau with wom he later became close friends. After 1795 reform however Jean was dismissed from his rank. He was part of Napoleon's Italian campaign as a volunteer and showed a lot of bravery during it, in one battle for example he captured two enemy flags with his bare hands. Napoleon saw potential in Lannes and quickly asked for him to be made Brigadier General. Lannes was wounded 3 times at Arcole, in 1797 he and Marmont were ordered to convince Popoe Pius VI. that the French were determined to stay in Italy. Upon arrival, Pius VI. offered his hand for Lannes to kneel and kiss the ring,as tradition dictatess, but Lannes shook the Pope's hand instead. Lannes was chosen by Napoleon to go to Egypt with him, after surpressing a mutiny in Malta the Expedition landed in Egypt. Lannes was given command of a brigade under General Kleber. After Menou's death Lannes took over command of his division in Alexandria.
Here we are at a point that will be important. the fight between Lannes and Murat. It will later be extended to include Augereau and Bessieres. While marching across the desert, Napoleon learned of Murat's complaints. Murat was convinced that Lannes reported his comments to Bonaparte and the two men became bitter enemies. At the battle of the Pyramids Lannes was there but a mere spectator. He did however play a major role in surpressing a the revolt in Kairo. At Jaffa Lannes again showed his bravery when he stormed the city after Berthier's envoy had been beheaded. Lannes ruthlessly slaughtered everybody in his path and the city feel pretty quickly. On the way to St. Jean d'Acre Lannes's division fought against Abdullah Pasha at Quaquoum and of course won. In the second assault on Acre Lannes was hit in the neck and fell into a ditch unconscious. Aware of the Turk's fondness in beheading prisoners, a French grenadier captain heroically pulled Lannes back into safety. Larrey quickly operated and saved Lannes' life. Lannes was promoted to General of Division the same dayhe raises the Siege of Acre. He was in Cairo until he was back at the army after British shipswere disembarking the Turkish invasion army of Rhodos at Abukir. At Abukir Lannes commanded the right while Murat lead a cavalry charge and took the entire Turkish camp. Turkish troops poured into the field to chop off the heads of fallen French soldiers. Enraged by this, Lannes stormed the Abukir citadel and commenced brutal hand to hand fighting. Lannes was shot in the leg but the battle was won. Murat gained the most glory though. Lannes became deeply depressed upon hearing of his wife's infidelity and giving birth to an ilegitimate son. Napoleon decided to leave for France and Lannes was one of the few to accompany him.At the XVIII. Brumaire Lannes commanded the troops of Tuileries. Even though Napoleon was now First Consul, Lannes was still allowed to address him as "tu" and not the regular "vous". Lannes was made commander and inspector of the Consular Guard. He returned to Lectoure to completely divorce and he later met Napoleon and Geneva.
Lannes and his advanced guard swept the Austrians at Aosta and arriving at Fort Bard made several unsuccessful attempts to take it. Bypassing the fort, Lannes defeated the Austrians at Ivrea and cleared the way for Napoleon's army. Crossing the Po River Lannes faced an army 10,000 men stronger than his (8,000). Lannes held out for many hours but he was about to break at 13:00, just in that moment Marechal Victor arrived with 6,000 men and saved the day. The Austrians were repulsed and Casteggio was taken. A week later at Marengo Lannes and Victor commanded the right flank. Upon returning to Paris both Lannes and Murat sought for Caroline Bonaparte (Napoleon's sister)'s hand in marriage but Murat married her at the end. Jean married Louise Antoinette, the daughter of a senator with whom (the wife not the senator) he would later have five children one of whom will be a diplomat to you guessed it, Switzerland. Lannes was one of the officers who was with Napoleon on the failed assassination attempt on Christmas Eve 1800, nothing happened to him though. Lannes was later made Chief of the Consular Guard. Lannes withdrew 300,000 francs and used it to improve the living conditions of the Consular Guard (explains his leadership skills in EW4), Napoleon was furious when he heard about it. He ordered Lannes to repay the sum within eight days or face a court-martial. Lannes didn't have the money so he turned to his good friend Augereau who loaned him the money. Lannes resigned from his position from the Consular Guard and Napoleon later made Lannes ambassador to Portugal despite Lannes' protests. Upon arrving in Portugal, Lannnes took a dislike of the British ambassador Robert Fitzgerald. John, Prince Regent of Portugal, took an instant liking to Lannes, and gave him precious stones for him and his family. Lannes did manage to suppres British influence in Portugal. In May 1804 Lannes was made Marshal of France and later recalled back to Paris. He received further awards of a Grand Cross of Christ of Portugal and a Grand Eagle of the Legion d'honneur.
That's it for today. I will continue with part 2 at a later time
Something I forgot to mention: Bessieres, a close friend of Murat and Bessieres promised to ruin Lannes especially after latter said that Bessieres didn't give him enough support at Marengo. In 1801 Bessieres spend 30,000 francs and Murat (his best friend) told it to Napoleon blaming Lannes. Napoleon sent Lannes to Portugal because of this. At Aspern-Essling Lannes critisized Bessieres and because Lannes was given a higher command than Bessieres had actually right to do so. Bessieres didn't want to be didn't want to go to slave level so he and Lannes were about to duel in front their own troops. Massena (who had higher command than both) made them stop rather quickly and later Napoleon heavily favoured Lannes.
At Boulogne, Lannes assumed command of the advanced guard which soon became the V. Corps. At Fontainblue Lannes welcomed the Pope and later bought the Chateau de Maisons. The 3rd Coalition War started and Murat and Lannes worked together pretty well even tough they didn't like each other. At Wertingen he and Murat had a great victory against Austria. At Elchingen Lannes grabbed Napoleon's horse and dragged him away from the cannon fire which potentially saved the emperor's life. Lannes and his V. Corps contributed massively to the surrender of Mack in Ulm and continued marching throught Bavaria. Fighting together, Murat and Lannes defeated an Austro-Russian force at Amstetten (yes Jean-Luc Picard Bagration lost against Lannes). Despite the animosity the two shared, both Lannes and Murat cooperated. With orders to seize the bridges of the Danube at Vienna, the two Marechals falsely convinced the Austrian commander, Auersperg, that an armistice was signed and the bridge was taken without a fight. Murat and Lannes fought Bagration at Hollabrunn but despite winning the Russians had time to reorganize. On the eve of Austerlitz, Soult and Murat convinced Lannes that the army should fall back, Lannes told Napoleon about this but the emperor thought otherwise. Lannes and Murat were both stationed at the extreme left flank at the beginning of the battle halting multiple attacks from von Liechteinstein and Bagration (who got his *Auto corrected* kicked here). After the battle was concluded, Napoleon insulted the V. Corps implying they did little despite the important role they played during the battle (holding Napoleon's left flank). Enraged by this, Lannes left for Paris without authorization. Realizing his mistake, Napoleon send Murat to find and calm down Lannes but the enraged marshal was not findable.
We start in 1769, the 10th of April to be exact. Lannes is born into poverty in Lectoure, Department Gers. He was someone who'd run away from school but he was very popular in his homecity, everybody'd be ready to go drink a glass of wine with him. He did however have one special thing, he hated the English. Like hardcore hating. Likely due to historical reasons. He was an apprentince-dyer but as soon as the Revolution started in 1789 he joined the military. He was elected leader of his unit and quickly joined the war in the Pyrenees, in his first battle he had to retreat (he didn't lead the battle, he was ordered to retreat) from the Spanish. He swore to never retreat again which he (according to what I've read so far) never did really. After this he mainly stayed in the same area and continued fighting the Spanish. In 1795 he married Paulette Marie the daughter of a wealthy banker. He was later placed under the command of General Augereau with wom he later became close friends. After 1795 reform however Jean was dismissed from his rank. He was part of Napoleon's Italian campaign as a volunteer and showed a lot of bravery during it, in one battle for example he captured two enemy flags with his bare hands. Napoleon saw potential in Lannes and quickly asked for him to be made Brigadier General. Lannes was wounded 3 times at Arcole, in 1797 he and Marmont were ordered to convince Popoe Pius VI. that the French were determined to stay in Italy. Upon arrival, Pius VI. offered his hand for Lannes to kneel and kiss the ring,as tradition dictatess, but Lannes shook the Pope's hand instead. Lannes was chosen by Napoleon to go to Egypt with him, after surpressing a mutiny in Malta the Expedition landed in Egypt. Lannes was given command of a brigade under General Kleber. After Menou's death Lannes took over command of his division in Alexandria.
Here we are at a point that will be important. the fight between Lannes and Murat. It will later be extended to include Augereau and Bessieres. While marching across the desert, Napoleon learned of Murat's complaints. Murat was convinced that Lannes reported his comments to Bonaparte and the two men became bitter enemies. At the battle of the Pyramids Lannes was there but a mere spectator. He did however play a major role in surpressing a the revolt in Kairo. At Jaffa Lannes again showed his bravery when he stormed the city after Berthier's envoy had been beheaded. Lannes ruthlessly slaughtered everybody in his path and the city feel pretty quickly. On the way to St. Jean d'Acre Lannes's division fought against Abdullah Pasha at Quaquoum and of course won. In the second assault on Acre Lannes was hit in the neck and fell into a ditch unconscious. Aware of the Turk's fondness in beheading prisoners, a French grenadier captain heroically pulled Lannes back into safety. Larrey quickly operated and saved Lannes' life. Lannes was promoted to General of Division the same dayhe raises the Siege of Acre. He was in Cairo until he was back at the army after British shipswere disembarking the Turkish invasion army of Rhodos at Abukir. At Abukir Lannes commanded the right while Murat lead a cavalry charge and took the entire Turkish camp. Turkish troops poured into the field to chop off the heads of fallen French soldiers. Enraged by this, Lannes stormed the Abukir citadel and commenced brutal hand to hand fighting. Lannes was shot in the leg but the battle was won. Murat gained the most glory though. Lannes became deeply depressed upon hearing of his wife's infidelity and giving birth to an ilegitimate son. Napoleon decided to leave for France and Lannes was one of the few to accompany him.At the XVIII. Brumaire Lannes commanded the troops of Tuileries. Even though Napoleon was now First Consul, Lannes was still allowed to address him as "tu" and not the regular "vous". Lannes was made commander and inspector of the Consular Guard. He returned to Lectoure to completely divorce and he later met Napoleon and Geneva.
Lannes and his advanced guard swept the Austrians at Aosta and arriving at Fort Bard made several unsuccessful attempts to take it. Bypassing the fort, Lannes defeated the Austrians at Ivrea and cleared the way for Napoleon's army. Crossing the Po River Lannes faced an army 10,000 men stronger than his (8,000). Lannes held out for many hours but he was about to break at 13:00, just in that moment Marechal Victor arrived with 6,000 men and saved the day. The Austrians were repulsed and Casteggio was taken. A week later at Marengo Lannes and Victor commanded the right flank. Upon returning to Paris both Lannes and Murat sought for Caroline Bonaparte (Napoleon's sister)'s hand in marriage but Murat married her at the end. Jean married Louise Antoinette, the daughter of a senator with whom (the wife not the senator) he would later have five children one of whom will be a diplomat to you guessed it, Switzerland. Lannes was one of the officers who was with Napoleon on the failed assassination attempt on Christmas Eve 1800, nothing happened to him though. Lannes was later made Chief of the Consular Guard. Lannes withdrew 300,000 francs and used it to improve the living conditions of the Consular Guard (explains his leadership skills in EW4), Napoleon was furious when he heard about it. He ordered Lannes to repay the sum within eight days or face a court-martial. Lannes didn't have the money so he turned to his good friend Augereau who loaned him the money. Lannes resigned from his position from the Consular Guard and Napoleon later made Lannes ambassador to Portugal despite Lannes' protests. Upon arrving in Portugal, Lannnes took a dislike of the British ambassador Robert Fitzgerald. John, Prince Regent of Portugal, took an instant liking to Lannes, and gave him precious stones for him and his family. Lannes did manage to suppres British influence in Portugal. In May 1804 Lannes was made Marshal of France and later recalled back to Paris. He received further awards of a Grand Cross of Christ of Portugal and a Grand Eagle of the Legion d'honneur.
That's it for today. I will continue with part 2 at a later time
Something I forgot to mention: Bessieres, a close friend of Murat and Bessieres promised to ruin Lannes especially after latter said that Bessieres didn't give him enough support at Marengo. In 1801 Bessieres spend 30,000 francs and Murat (his best friend) told it to Napoleon blaming Lannes. Napoleon sent Lannes to Portugal because of this. At Aspern-Essling Lannes critisized Bessieres and because Lannes was given a higher command than Bessieres had actually right to do so. Bessieres didn't want to be didn't want to go to slave level so he and Lannes were about to duel in front their own troops. Massena (who had higher command than both) made them stop rather quickly and later Napoleon heavily favoured Lannes.
At Boulogne, Lannes assumed command of the advanced guard which soon became the V. Corps. At Fontainblue Lannes welcomed the Pope and later bought the Chateau de Maisons. The 3rd Coalition War started and Murat and Lannes worked together pretty well even tough they didn't like each other. At Wertingen he and Murat had a great victory against Austria. At Elchingen Lannes grabbed Napoleon's horse and dragged him away from the cannon fire which potentially saved the emperor's life. Lannes and his V. Corps contributed massively to the surrender of Mack in Ulm and continued marching throught Bavaria. Fighting together, Murat and Lannes defeated an Austro-Russian force at Amstetten (yes Jean-Luc Picard Bagration lost against Lannes). Despite the animosity the two shared, both Lannes and Murat cooperated. With orders to seize the bridges of the Danube at Vienna, the two Marechals falsely convinced the Austrian commander, Auersperg, that an armistice was signed and the bridge was taken without a fight. Murat and Lannes fought Bagration at Hollabrunn but despite winning the Russians had time to reorganize. On the eve of Austerlitz, Soult and Murat convinced Lannes that the army should fall back, Lannes told Napoleon about this but the emperor thought otherwise. Lannes and Murat were both stationed at the extreme left flank at the beginning of the battle halting multiple attacks from von Liechteinstein and Bagration (who got his *Auto corrected* kicked here). After the battle was concluded, Napoleon insulted the V. Corps implying they did little despite the important role they played during the battle (holding Napoleon's left flank). Enraged by this, Lannes left for Paris without authorization. Realizing his mistake, Napoleon send Murat to find and calm down Lannes but the enraged marshal was not findable.
