This
wire of stable boy gives up his work of apprentice dyer for enrôler
in a battalion of volunteers in 1792. Its courage returns it
quickly celebrates. Drawn aside for political reasons in 1795,
whereas he is an already head of brigade, he re-enlists the following
year for the campaign of Italy, like private. He is under the
commands of the General, Bonaparte, who quickly restores it with
the rank of head of brigade. Lannes is one of those which precipitate
ahead with the bridge of Lodi (May 10, 1796) to encourage the
soldiers to face enemy artillery. November 14, it receives two
balls with battle of Arcole. The following day, learning that
the fight continues, it saddle its horse and precipitates on
the place of the battle, to fall soon disappeared after having
received a blow on the head.
He is still
in Rivoli (January 14, 1797) two months, hardly given later.
Bonaparte, who noticed his exploits, eulogistically quotes it
in his report/ratio and names it brigadier general. The two men
become friendly. Lannes will not be able to cease besides addressing
as tu the Emperor lately crowned. After Rivoli, Lannes takes
the town of Imola. The pope decides to conclude a treaty. Bonaparte
dispatches Lannes to him. This last, while it discusses pleasantly
with sovereign pontiff, restores the command in the Papal States,
in particular by the arrest and the execution of some leaders.
By Perrin
National
museum of Versailles and Trianons
C' is then the campaign
of Egypt, in 1798. Lannes is distinguished particular lies to
the head office of Saint-Jean d' Acre (March 19 at May 20), where
it is seriously wounded. In Aboukir on July 25, 1799, it takes
fears it Turkish with the head of two battalions. Named major
general, it re-enters to France with Bonaparte to take part in
the coup d'etat of the 18-Brumaire. The First Consul entrusts
the command of the consular Guard to him. At the time of the
second campaign of Italy, with the head of the avant-garde, it
fights in Montebello (June 9, 1800) and in Marengo (June 14,
1800). At the time of this last battle, it contains the Austrian
attack during seven hours.
He
is made marshal on May 19, 1804. It controls the 5th body at
the time of the campaign of Austria of 1805 and the left wing
with Austerlitz, December 2. It takes part in the campaign of
Prussia in 1806 and beats prince Louis of Prussia with Saalfeld.
Present still with Iéna (October 14, 1806), it controls
the center of the Grande Armée there. Wounded in Pultusk
(December 26, 1806). It takes again to it command lies of an
army corps. It controls the avant-garde of the Grande Armée
with Friedland and resists during four hours the attacks of the
Russian army of Benningsen. In 1808, it is in Spain where it
gains the battle of Tudela and directs the head office of Saragossa.
It is made duke of Montebello. It remains in Spain until 1809.
Napoléon calls
it near him for the campaign of Austria. It takes part in the
operation of Landshut and takes part in the battle of Eckmühl
(April 22, 1809). Its body is present at the seat of Ratisbon,
and it empart him even of a scale to climb the walls. One of
its aide-de-camps arrives at in empêcher.A Aspern, Lannes
advances on the troops of the Charles archduke to divide them
into two. The manœuvre succeeds but the bridges which make
the junction between the two parts of the French Army are broken.
The men of Lannes find themselves isolated under Austrian fire.
Their head is with the face when it receives a ball of gun. Transferred
onto rifles towards the island of Lobau, it is cut down by the
two legs. During six days, Lannes fails. The Emperor comes to
collect his last words. May 31, 1809, it succumbs in Vienna where
it was transported. Its body rests in the Pantheon. Lannes is
the first marshal of Empire died in the combat.
