Gouvion, wire of a tanner, is only three
years old when his/her mother leaves the residence. After a voyage
two years in Italy, he becomes Master of drawing, in Toul then
in Paris. In 1792, it decides to engage in the republican army.
It is there that it adds Saint-Cyr to his name, to be distinguished
from his/her cousins. It fights in the Army of the Moselle. It
intelligent, is informed, able, it has an excellent blow ofœit;
Gouvion-saint-Cyr climbs the military levels quickly. June 16,
1794, it is already major general, a record of speed. It controls
a division with the Army of the Rhine-and-Moselle and is distinguished
with the seat from Mainz.
In 1798, it receives the provisional command of the Army of Rome,
which invades the Papal States and creates the Roman Republic.
Gouvion brings back the discipline in the row of the officers,
who have just relieved Masséna. It is pointed out on July
26, 1798. It is useful in the Army of Italy and takes part, under
Joubert, with the battle of Novi, August 15, 1799. After the
battle, it manages to make the junction with the remainder of
the army.
Quand Masséna
comes to replace Joubert, killed with Novi, Gouvion obtains to
be affected with the Army of Italy and beats the Austrian armies.
For his exploits in Italy, Bonaparte decrees to him the patent
of first lieutenant of the Army and a sabre of honor. Affected
with the Army of Germany under Moreau, it seizes Freiburg and
takes part in the battle of Hohenlinden, December 3, 1800.
In 1801, it is charged to assist Lucien Bonaparte in Spain. Two
years later, he is a lieutenant of the occupying army in Naples,
under Murat. However, it appears a little too independent on
the political level with the taste of its superiors. In 1804,
it will not be made marshal, but becomes colonel-General of the
cuirassiers. In 1805, it is useful in the army which must subject
the kingdom of Naples, whose Joseph is the new King.
IL controls an army
corps during the program of Poland of 1807. In 1808, one entrusts
the command of VIIème body to him, with white card to
operate in Catalonia. Gouvion-saint-Cyr aligns victory over victory.
In spite of the lack of artillery and ammunition, it manages
to take the fort of Pinks on December 4, 1808 and Barcelona.
It then receives commands which it considers unrealizable, learns
its replacement and leaves its station prematurely. This new
mark of independence is worth the stops to him and new forty.
EN 1811, Napoleon recalls
it to the Council of State and entrusts to him the command of
VIème body of the Grande Armée. Gouvion-saint-Cyr
gains battles; he demolishes in particular Wittgenstein with
Polotsk, August 7, 1812 and receives the stick of marshal. March
1813, sick, it re-enters to Paris. Controlling an army corps,
it takes part in the battle of Dresden (August 26-27, 1813).
Napoleon entrusts the defense of the city to him, but with court
of food and ammunition, it capitulates on November 11, 1813.
He is a prisoner until June 1814.
When it returns to France, Louis XVIII is on the throne and A
named Pair of France. With the return of Napoleon of the island
of Elba, Gouvion, in Orleans, makes carry the white rosette to
its men.
