General Louis-Charles-Antoine Desaix de Veygoux
Born: August 17, 1768
Died: June 14, 1800
Place of Birth: Riom, Puy-de-Dôme
Cause of Death: Killed in action
| Battle | Unit | Rank |
| Neresheim | Général de division | |
| Battle of the Pyramids | Général de division | Division Desaix |
| Marengo | Général de division | Corps Desaix - Divisions Boudet and Monnier |
Desaix was a noble officer who supported the Revolution and refused to emigrate with his family. Known for his politeness and humanity, he often wore a simple, ragged blue cloak. He was good friends with Generals Davout and Reynier and Dr. Larrey.
Renowned for his talented leadership and military skill with the Army of the Rhine, Desaix was transferred to the Army of Italy after most of that campaign had wound down. Accompanying the expedition to Egypt, he led the attack on Malta and successfully took Upper Egypt and pacified it. For his fair administration and improving the quality of life for the people of Egypt, they nicknamed him the Just Sultan.
Held by the British after Egypt, he was only able to reunite with Napoleon Bonaparte and the army on June 11th, 1800. Glad to see such a capable officer, Napoleon immediately gave him a command in the Army of the Reserve. Unfortunately for the French, Napoleon misinterpreted the Austrian army's intentions and detached Desaix and his men to the south to block any Austrian moves in that direction. On the morning of the 14th, Desaix and his men were struggling to cross a flooded river when they heard the sound of thunder in the distance. Realizing it was artillery, Desaix immediately ordered his men to head back the way they came, and he himself galloped off for Marengo. Arriving at Marengo in the afternoon and seeing the French falling back all along the front, he quickly rode for the First Consul and entourage. "What do you think?" Napoleon asked him as he arrived. Desaix, covered in mud, pulled out his pocketwatch and looked at the time. "This battle is lost," he told Napoleon, "But there is still time to win another." Heartened by his attitude and the arrival of his troops a short time later, the French position improved. As Desaix led his men in the main counterattack against the Austrians, he was shot through the heart and instantly killed.
Desaix's death at Marengo occurred within an hour of Kléber's death in Egypt.
Sources: Chandler (Campaigns of Napoleon), Chandler (Dictionary), Elting (Swords Around a Throne), Haythornthwaite (Who Was Who), Richardson (Larrey), Six (Dictionnaire Biographique)
External Links:
