General Pierre Banel
Born: July 30, 1766
Died: April 13, 1796
Place of Birth: Lectoure, Gers
Cause of Death: Mortally wounded
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A native of Lectoure, Pierre Banel was from the same town as Lannes and Subervie. Part of the same batallion of volunteers, they served together and were friends, with Banel being one of the witnesses at Lannes' first wedding.
Banel's military career began when he became a soldier in the regiment of Vintimille in 1784. Four years later he was a corporal, and in June of 1792 he joined the 2nd Batallion of Volunteers of Gers and was elected an officer along with his friends. A year later he was serving as the lieutenant-colonel of the 7th Batallion of Aude. September of 1793 was a busy month for Banel. As a member of the Army of the East Pyrenees, he fought at the combat of Orles and later at Peyrestortes, and was rewarded with a promotion to chef de brigade in October. That December he took part in the attack at the camp at Villelongue and was promoted to general de brigade.
For the first half of 1794 Banel served in Pérignon's division, taking part in the fighting at Montesquieu and Llobregat. Joining Augereau's division, he took part in combat of Bezalu that June, and then fought well at the battle of Montagne Noire in November. Banel fought at Bascara and Fluvia in 1795, then transferred to the Army of Italy that September. With the Army of Italy he commanded Augereau's 2nd Brigade, and was wounded by a shot at Loano. On April 4th of 1796, Banel took command of Augereau's 3rd Brigade from Rusca, and barely more than a week later he was killed in action at Cossaria.
Sources: Chrisawn (Emperor's Friend), Six (Dictionnaire Biographique)
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