François d'Hénin (1771-1847)
Command Ratings
François Nivard Charles Joseph d'Hénin entered the garde nationale of Lille in July 1789, then received a brevet as sous‑lieutenant in the 87ᵉ régiment d’infanterie on 6 November 1791, was promoted to lieutenant in 1792 and to capitaine in 1793. He served in Saint‑Domingue from 1791 to 1794. In March 1795 he became adjoint aux adjudants‑généraux in the armée des côtes de Cherbourg, and on 1 October 1795 he was transferred as capitaine to the 2ᵉ régiment de chasseurs à cheval. In March 1796 he accompanied General Aubert‑Dubayet to Constantinople, returning to join the 2ᵉ chasseurs à cheval in June 1797. In 1798 he served with the armée d’Italie and was appointed aide‑de‑camp to General Macdonald in November. In March 1799 he rescued a flag destined for the armée de Naples from brigands near Naples. In June 1799 at the Battle of the Trebbia he distinguished himself and on the final day of that battle was promoted to chef d’escadron. In 1800 he served on the staff of the 17ᵉ division militaire and then on the staff of the armée de Réserve before returning as aide‑de‑camp to Macdonald. In 1801 he was promoted to chef de brigade and sent to Saint‑Domingue, where in 1802 he served in Boudet’s division and was wounded during the attack on Camp Vallières. In October 1802 Leclerc promoted him to général de brigade, and he sustained a right‑side wound at Haut‑Cap. In December he served with Clauzel’s division and in 1803 he took command of the city of Saint‑Marc. Besieged by the British, he surrendered in September 1803 and was taken prisoner to England. Released on parole in March 1811, he was placed at the disposition of the ministry of war in France. In 1812 he commanded the 2ᵉ brigade of Razout’s 11ᵉ division d’infanterie of the Grande Armée in the Russian campaign. He fought at the Battle of Borodino on 7 September 1812, where he was wounded in the right thigh and wrist. In October 1812 he was created baron de l’Empire. In 1813 he initially commanded a brigade of Lorencez’s division, then in June served with the 35ᵉ division in XIᵉ corps, and in August took command of a brigade of Westphalians in Ledru’s 31ᵉ division. He fought at the Battle of Leipzig in October and was taken prisoner there. Released in March 1814, following Napoleon’s abdication, he was assigned to oversee the repatriation of French prisoners held by Prussia. In June 1814 King Louis XVIII made him chevalier de Saint‑Louis and in January 1815 promoted him to lieutenant‑général. During the Hundred Days he commanded the département of Loir‑et‑Cher. He was placed on non‑activité in 1816 and later resumed his military career in 1823. He died in Paris on 21 November 1847.
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