At the Peak of Napoleon’s Power, The Emperor Bestows a High Honor to a Hero at Wagram, a Baron Who Would Die in Retreat From Russia

“Napoleon, by the Grace of God, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation.”

The Battle of Wagram was a decisive battle at the high water mark of Napoleon’s conquests.  The Battle pitted Napoleon’s forces against the Austrians and the Fifth Coalition, which was virtually destroyed as a result.  In the Treaty of Schonbrunn, Austria was forced to cede one sixth of its population and much territory.  Napoleon’s power would never be greater, his star never brighter.  One of the heroes of this conflict was Pierre de Bruneteau de Sainte Suzanne, a cavalry commander who had served since the days of the French Republic and Robespierre.  His mounted soldiers fought valiantly that day and he was a promoted to Colonel just days after the conflict had ended and placed in command of the 9th Cavalry Regiment.  Napoleon also sought to bestow on him one of the highest honors he could, a position as Baron of the Empire, with its privileges and honors.  This he did in 1809 shortly after and formalized with this very document. 

Document signed, May 3, 1810, Anvers, France, signed by Napoleon and by Camaceres, Arch Chancellor of the Empire, measuring 2 feet wide by 18 inches tall.  The document begins by stating Bonaparte’s titles: “Napoleon, by the Grace of God, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation.”   It continues, “We have reserved for ourselves the power to bestow titles we deem appropriate to those subjects who have distinguished themselves in service to the state and to us.  The knowledge that we have of the zeal and the fidelity of our dear Mr. Bruneteau St. Suzanne has shown for our service…  We have by these documents signed by our hand, conferred to our dear and beloved Pierre Antoine Bruneteau Ste. Suzanne, Colonel of the 9th Regiment of Cavalry, born in the Department of the Loire and the Aube on March 29, 1771, the title of Baron of the Empire.”  The document states that the title shall pass to his first born son and describes his coat of arms, which is pictured beautifully on the document itself. 

Brunetau de Sainte Suzanne’s cavalry regiment was tapped by Napoleon to accompany the Grand Armee to Russia, where it fought in the disastrous Battle of Borodino and was forced into the long and grueling and retreat that mortally wounded Napoleon and his army.  He was present at both at the zenith and depths of Napoleon’s power.  He was rewarded after Wagram. Here he would lose his life.  He died from exhaustion in Prussia after the long retreat.