Louis-Nicolas d'Avout

Louis-Nicolas Davout was a French general and maréchal d’Empire, created duc d’Auerstaedt (1808) and prince d’Eckmühl (1809). Born at Annoux (Burgundy) on 10 May 1770, he entered the royal army as a junior officer in 1788, aligned himself with the Revolution, and served in Major commands throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars until 1815. He died in Paris on 1 June 1823.

Educated at the École Royale Militaire in Paris, Davout began active wartime service after 1792. In 1791 he left the regular army amid political tensions, but was elected Colonel of a volunteer battalion and fought with the northern armies, including at Neerwinden (March 1793). Promoted to général de brigade in July 1793, he was soon removed during anti-noble purges, then reinstated after 1794. From 1794 to 1797 he commanded cavalry on the Rhine front, with actions around Mannheim (1795), and at Kehl and Haslach (1796), among other engagements.

Davout joined Bonaparte’s expedition to Egypt in 1798, serving under Desaix and participating in the principal battles of the campaign, including the Pyramids and Aboukir. Returning to France in 1800, he was promoted général de division and employed in the latter stages of the war against the Second Coalition.

Named among the first cohort of maréchaux d’Empire in 1804, Davout commanded the IIIe Corps in the 1805 campaign and played a key role at Austerlitz. In October 1806 he defeated a larger Prussian force at Auerstädt, an action closely associated with his elevation as duc d’Auerstaedt. He subsequently fought through the 1806–1807 campaign, including Eylau (1807). From 1807 he served as governor-general in the Duchy of Warsaw. Recalled for the 1809 war, he held senior field command at Eckmühl and Wagram and received the title prince d’Eckmühl.

In 1812 Davout commanded the Ier Corps in the invasion of Russia, fought at Smolensk, and was wounded at Borodino. In 1813 he was employed in Germany and then assigned to hold Hamburg, which he defended until 1814, surrendering after confirmation of Napoleon’s abdication.

During the Hundred Days (1815) Davout served as Minister of War and military governor of Paris rather than taking a field command. After Napoleon’s defeat he oversaw the withdrawal and reorganisation of the remaining forces in accordance with the post-war settlements. He was later restored to honours under the Restoration and is buried at Père Lachaise.

Sources

• Fondation Napoléon: “DAVOUT, Louis Nicolas (10 May 1770 – 1 June 1823)”
• Encyclopaedia Britannica: “Louis-Nicolas Davout, duke of Auerstedt”
• Wikipedia: “Louis-Nicolas Davout”