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Jean de dieu
Soult,
duke
of Dalmatie,
Marshal (1804).
(Saint-Amans
-La Country house (Tarn), 1769 - id, 1851)
By Cap
National
museum of the castle of Versailles and Trianons
One of the most
beautiful military careers of the time.
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Soult,
in its capacity as elder, is intended to resume the study of
his/her father, notary. It prefers to engage at fourteen years
in the Royal army. Its first pay makes it possible to save to
its family the data entry pieces of furniture. After two years
of service, it gives up the weapons, tries to be made baker,
but re-enlists quickly.
In 1789, it adopts the revolutionary ideas and climbs the military
levels. In 1794, at 25 years, it is noticed at the time of the
battle of brigadier general Fleurus and is named. Two years later,
it is illustrated with the battle of Altenkirchen (June 4, 1796).
September 1799, become major general to the army of Helvétie,
it takes part in the victory of Zurich under the commands of
Masséna. It follows this last to the Army of Italy and
takes part in the defense of Genoa, while Bonaparte crosses the
collar of the Large-Saint Bernard.
With
the end of the year 1800, it is charged by the First Consul with
pacifying Piedmont. In 1802, Soult became general colonel of
the light infantry of the consular Guard and burning Bonapartist.
The advent of the Empire (1804) brings titles and glory to him.
It is named marshal on May 19 and large Officer of the Legion
of Honour.
Controlling camp of Saint-Omer, in Boulogne, it forms IVème
body of the Grande Armée, imposing a severe discipline
to its men. It is the beginning of a reputation of pitiless head
who is worth the nickname of iron «Arm to him»by
his soldiers.
Its army corps plays an essential role at the time of the battle
of Austerlitz (December 2, 1805), while seizing the plate of
Pratzen. Napoleon makes him compliment of it, describing it as
«first manoeuvrier of Europe». Soult takes part then
in the campaign of Prussia and Poland, and is illustrated in
particular in Iéna (October 14, 1806) and in Eylau (February
8, 1807). June 16, 1807, it takes the town of Koenigsberg.
In
1808, it accompanies Napoleon in Spain. Fact duke of Dalmatie,
it controls IIème body of the Grande Armée. Initially
victorious, it advances to Portugal. It imposes the command on
it and lets speak about him like future King of Portugal. Wellington
breaks his hopes by beating it in Oporto. The French marshal
takes his revenge with Ocaña, November 19, 1809.
General major of Joseph, restored on the Spanish throne, it manages
to subject Andalusia in 1810 and becomes the governor of this
province. In 1812, it is forced with the retirement by the victories
of Wellington.
In
1813, after a short passage in Germany, Soult is again returned
to Spain to counter Wellington. He cannot stop the English General,
whose forces are four times higher than his, and must pass by
again the Pyrenees. Beaten Orthez on February 27, 1814, it resists
with eagerness, slowing down the advance of Wellington by all
the means. In Toulouse, in April, it supports the seat with 25
000 men against 100 000 until the news of the abdication of the
Emperor.
Under Louis XVIII, Soult becomes Minister for the War. Napoleon,
of return of the island of Elba, forgives him his proclamations
anti-Bonapartists, Soult described of«usurper»and«adventurer»to
place it general major of his army. If it does not reach the
effectiveness of Berthier, it fights nevertheless bravely in
Waterloo, from the 15 to June 18, 1815.
After the defeat, it is withdrawn in its castle of Soulberg,
among a very beautiful collection of Spanish masterpieces, fruit
of its plunderings. Its protests indeed did not inflect the King.
He will be forgiven in 1819 and will be restored in his titles
the following year.
Par of France under Charles X, it plays his greater political
role under Louis-Philippe. He is an initially Minister for the
War then president of the Council. In April 1838, he is the ambassador
of France for the crowning of the Victoria queen in England.
It is the prelude of a career of Foreign Minister, quickly stopped
by the arrival with the capacity of its adversary, Thiers.
In 1847, the old marshal withdraws himself definitively, with
the glorious title of general marshal.
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