General Dominique-Joseph-René Vandamme

Born: November 5, 1770

Died: July 15, 1830

Place of Birth: Cassel, Nord

Cause of Death: Natural causes

Battle	Unit	Rank
Tourcoing	Général de brigade	(Moreau)
Austerlitz	Général de division	IV Corps (Soult) - 2nd Division
Eckmühl	Général de division	VIII Corps
Wagram	Général de division	VIII Corps
Kulm	Général de division	I Corps
Ligny	Général de division	III Corps
Wavre	Général de division	III Corps

Vandamme was a difficult man to get along with, but nonetheless a talented fighting general. For all the difficulties he caused his superiors, he was very loyal. Napoleon once remarked that had he had two Vandammes, he would have had to order one to hang the other.

In 1809, after Oudinot, Macdonald, and Marmont were created marshals, Vandamme was furious at Napoleon for not being made a marshal. He exclaimed that Napoleon was a coward and a liar and had it not been for Vandamme, Napoleon would still be keeping pigs in Corsica. Many considered Vandamme's bad temper and unruly behavior the very reason he was not created a marshal.

Vandamme was captured at the Battle of Kulm despite his best efforts, and was dragged before Czar Alexander of Russia and his brother Grand Duke Constantine. Constantine allegedly stripped Vandamme's sword away from him, a bad breach of chivalry and honor. Then, Alexander accused Vandamme of looting, to which Vandamme replied, "At least I haven't been accused of killing my father," referring to the fact that Alexander was rumored to have been involved in the death of his father to seize the Russian throne.

On June 18th, 1815, Vandamme and Gérard begged Grouchy to allow them to march their corps to the sound of guns to the west, namely Waterloo, and Grouchy refused.

Vandamme once said of Napoleon, "So it is that I who fear neither God nor the Devil, tremble like a child when I approach him."

Sources: Chandler (Dictionary), Elting (Swords Around a Throne), Haythornthwaite (Who Was Who), Six (Dictionnaire Biographique)

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