Jean-Louis-François Fauconnet

Jean-Louis-François Fauconnet (born December 24, 1750 in Revigny-sur-Ornain , † October 22, 1819 in Lille ) was a French Général de division of the cavalry .

Life

On March 29, 1766, Fauconnez joined the royal army and was soon able to distinguish himself. On June 18, 1770 he changed to the rank of Sous-lieutenant of the cavalry to the Gensdarmes de Monsieur (→ Maison militaire du roi de France ). His career took him from Lieutenant (April 19, 1789) to Chef de brigade (June 1, 1794).

Fauconnet later switched to the Rhine Army and for some time also belonged to the Sambre and Maas Army . He fought u. a. before Jemappes (November 6, 1792), stood in front of the Weißenburg lines and was able to distinguish himself at Fleurus (June 26, 1794) and Hondschoote (September 8, 1793).

Due to political intrigues, Fauconnet fell out of favor with the board of directors and he was arrested in early September 1797. He was not released until the beginning of March 1798 and was rehabilitated according to his rank and allowed to return to active service.

Fauconnet supported Napoleon when he made himself first consul and sole ruler by means of a coup d'état of 18th Brumaire VIII (November 9th 1799) .

In the battle of Austerlitz he commanded the 5th light cavalry division as general de brigade .

Fauconnet was standing with his troops ( Garde nationale ) in Lille when Napoleon left the island of Elba and his " rule of the hundred days " began. He did not take part in the Battle of Waterloo (June 18, 1815), but served in Dunkerque . King Louis XVIII adopted him into retirement with effect from August 1, 1819. Fauconnet died on October 22nd, 1819 in Lille, where he found his final resting place.

Honors

• December 1803 Chevalier of the Legion of Honor
• June 14, 1804 Commander of the Legion of Honor
• July 2, 1808 Baron de l'Émpire
• His name can be found on the north pillar (7th column) of the triumphal arch on Place Charles-de-Gaulle ( Paris ).
• The Rue Général Fauconnet in Dijon is named after him.

literature

• David G. Chandler : The campaigns of Napoleon . Weidenfeld, London 1993, ISBN 0-297-81367-6 (reprint of the London 1966 edition).
• Charles Mullié: Biography of the célébrités militaires des armées de terre et de mer de 1789 à 1850 . Poignavant, Paris 1851 (2 vols.).
• Georges Six: Dictionnaire biographique des généraux & amiraux français de la Révolution et de l'Émpire. 1792-1814 . Saffroy, Paris 1999, ISBN 2-901541-06-2 (reprint of the Paris 1934 edition)
• Digby Smith : The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book . Greenhill, London 1998, ISBN 1-85367-276-9 .