César Alexandre Debelle

César Alexandre Debelle was born on 27 November 1770 in Voreppe, Isère, France. He entered the military in July 1787 as a canonnier in an artillery unit. In October 1789 he transferred to the 1st Chasseurs à Cheval, becoming brigadier in March 1791. He was appointed sous‑lieutenant in the 12th Dragoons in September 1791, lieutenant in March 1793, adjoint aux adjudants‑généraux in Nivôse an II (late 1793), attaining the rank of Capitaine in Vendémiaire an V (1796), chef d’escadron in Pluviôse an V (early 1797), and colonel of the 11th Dragoons later that year. He served in the armies of the Nord, Rhine, Alpes, Sambre‑et‑Meuse, England, Hanover, and the Ocean coasts. He distinguished himself at Altenkirchen in Germinal an V (April 1797) and at Salzburg in Frimaire an IX (November/December 1800), and at the Battle of Novi on 23 Thermidor an VII (9 August 1799) by defending the plateaux overlooking the city.

He was made membre of the Légion d’honneur on 19 Frimaire an XII (10 December 1803) and promoted officier on 25 Prairial an XII (14 June 1804). On 30 Pluviôse an XIII (19 February 1805) he was promoted général de brigade. He was employed in the 7th and other military divisions in Ventôse and Messidor an XIII (late winter and summer 1805). He joined the Army of Italy on 24 Fructidor an XIII (11 September 1805), and then joined the Grande Armée for the campaigns of an XIV (1806), 1806, and 1807. He received the cross of commandeur de la Légion d’honneur on 11 July 1807 and was created baron de l’Empire in 1808.

In 1808 he was sent to Spain, where he commanded the 1st Brigade of Milhaud’s 3rd Division of Dragoons. His brigade suffered a severe defeat at the combat of Sahagún on 21 December 1808. He was recalled to France on 2 August 1809 and placed on non‑activité on 5 September. He was admitted to retirement on 15 March 1812.

In March 1815 during the Hundred Days he offered his services. On 9 March Napoleon’s order via General Bertrand appointed him commander of the département of Drôme. He entered Valence on 15 March. On 29 March he assembled 600 men and marched on Montélimar, where he was wounded by one of his own National Guardsmen accusing him of betrayal. On 2 April his troops were routed at Loriol and he was injured. On 24 April his command of Drôme was withdrawn and he was given command of Mont‑Blanc on 18 May.

After the Bourbon Restoration he surrendered at Grenoble and was tried by a conseil de guerre. On 24 March 1816 he was condemned to death, later commuted by Louis XVIII to ten years’ detention. He was imprisoned at the citadel of Besançon. Owed a pension, he received relief from the duc d’Angoulême and was reprieved and rehabilitated on 16 July 1817, restored to his grade and retirement benefits. He died on 19 July 1826 in Voreppe.

Sources

• Wikipedia (French): César Alexandre Debelle
• General César Alexandre Debelle de La Gachetière (frenchempire.net)