Napoleon States What He Looks for In His Commanders: “Intrepid Men”
He writes to a commander in 1809 to help me identify men for promotion who could take command before Wagram
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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...
Never before offered for sale, acquired in the US from the direct descendants of the recipient residing in the states
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.
General Mouton, the Count of Lobau, was a prominent general and later Marshall of the Empire for Napoleon. Mouton means “lamb” in French, the source of Napoleon’s now famous statement on Mouton: “My lamb is a lion.” Napoleon valued Mouton to the extent that for his great Russia campaign he made him senior aide to camp. In 1806 Mouton was a Brigade General. He would remain in Napoleon’s service until the end of the Empire, during which time he showed himself to be forthright, direct (“he’s no fawner”, Napoleon is noted to have said) but also disciplined, loyal, meticulous and highly organized. He was at Austerlitz with Napoleon and was charged with the preparation of the campaigns in Spain (1808), Russia (1812), Germany (1813) and Belgium (1815). Napoleon also wrote “Mouton is the best colonel to have ever commanded a French regiment.”
Continuing to serve as an aide-de-camp, Mouton fought at Eckmühl and then at Aspern-Essling, both part of the campaign in 1809 against the Austrians that led to Wagram. Here he was placed in charge of the Fusiliers of the Guard and ordered to counterattack against the Austrians assaulting Essling. Another aide-de-camp of Napoleon’s, General Rapp, was ordered to reinforce the village of Aspern, but upon seeing the size of the force against Mouton, he disobeyed orders and rode to Mouton’s aid. Their combined forces successfully forced back the Austrian attack and enabled the French to retain possession of the village. During the retreat of the French to the isle of Lobau, Mouton was wounded by a ball, but rewarded for his bravery by Napoleon making him a count. After serving at Wagram, in the next few years Napoleon gave Mouton the title of Count of Lobau and Mouton became a Knight of the Order of Saint Hubert of Bavaria.
Napoleon considered Mouton fierce, loyal, and a great leader. He relied on his advice.
Letter signed, Paris, March 8, 1809, to Mouton. “General Mouton, If I wanted to know 4 cavalry colonels or brigade adjutant generals, who should I name to have intrepid men and such that we require.”
Mouton has written on the letter: “To put aside to handle when situation presents itself. I satisfied this demand the 21st of March 1809.”
Never before offered for sale, acquired in the US from the direct descendants of the recipient residing in the states.
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