Gabriel Neigre

Gabriel Neigre (born July 28, 1774 in La Fère , † August 8, 1847 in Villiers-sur-Marne ) was a French Général de division of the artillery .

Life

Through his father, who served in the royal army, Neigre became an “ enfant de troupe ” around 1780 . He was enthusiastic about the ideals of the revolution and looked for a career in the army. He became a supporter of Napoleon very early on .

Neigre was able to distinguish himself through bravery during the Revolutionary Wars and was therefore promoted several times. In 1793 he already had his own command with the rank of captain .

Neigre was a member of Napoleon's staff with the rank of Général de brigade when he was planning his Russian campaign in 1812 . In Russia, Neigre u. a. at Borodino (September 7, 1812), at Tarutino (October 18, 1812) and at the Beresina (November 26-28, 1812).

Neigre took part in the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig (October 16/19, 1813). He fought outside Paris (March 30, 1814) and sided with the Bourbons after Napoleon's abdication (→ Treaty of Fontainebleau ) . But when Napoleon had left the island of Elba and his “ rule of the hundred days ” began, Neigre changed hands again and stood loyal to his emperor until Waterloo (June 18, 1815).

Neigre was rather neutral until the July Revolution of 1830 , but when the July monarchy was constituted, he supported King Louis-Philippe I. Gradually Neigre took over administrative tasks; u. a. from October 22, 1839 head of the Service des poudre et salpêtres .

Gabriel Neigre died on August 8, 1847 at the age of 73 in Villiers-sur-Marne and found his final resting place in the Père Lachaise cemetery (Division 56) in Paris .

Honors

• September 29, 1809 Baron de l'Émpire
• 29 October 1826 Grand Officier of the Legion of Honor
• 9 January 1832 Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor
• Grand cordon de l'ordre de Léopold
• His name can be found on the north pillar (10th column) of the triumphal arch on Place Charles-de-Gaulle (Paris).

literature

• Philip J. Haythornthwaite: Who was who in Napoleonic wars . Arms & Armor, London 1998, ISBN 1-85409-391-6 .
• Charles Mullié: Biography of the célébrités militaires des armées de terre et de mer de 1789 à 1850 . Poignavant, Paris 1851 (2 vols.).
• Stephen Pope: The Cassell Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars . Cassell, London 1999, ISBN 0-304-35229-2 .
• Digby Smith : The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars data book . Greenhill, London 1998, ISBN 1-85367-276-9 .