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General Joseph Barbanègre

Printable Version

Barbanègre

Born: August 22, 1772

Died: November 7, 1830

Place of Birth: Pontacq, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Cause of Death: Unknown

Battle Unit Rank
Austerlitz Colonel III Corps (Davout) - 2nd Division (Friant)
Auerstädt Colonel III Corps (Davout) - 2nd Division (Friant)
Eylau Colonel III Corps (Davout) - 2nd Division (Friant)
Eckmühl Général de brigade III Corps (Davout) - 2nd Division (Friant) - 2nd Brigade
Wagram Général de brigade III Corps (Davout) - 2nd Division (Friant) - 2nd Brigade


Barbanègre served much of his career under Marshal Davout. During the Hundred Days, General Barbanègre was placed in command of the defense of Huningue. After Napoleon's second abdication, the city began to be plundered, so Barbanègre ordered his 135 men to fire on the pillagers. Before long the Austrian army arrived, and Barbanègre informed his men that he had no intention of surrendering and followed through with that despite Austrian threats. As the situation escalated, by August 14, 1815 there were 25,000 Austrian soldiers laying siege to Barbanègre and his small force. Barbanègre finally surrendered on August 26th, but marched out of the city with full military honors, and was embraced by the Austrian commander Archduke John.


Sources: Ryan (Napoleon's Shield and Guardian), Six (Dictionnaire Biographique)


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