Antoine Étienne de Tousard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Antoine Étienne de Tousard
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| Born | 9 December 1752 Paris, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 15 September 1813 (aged 60) Hamburg, Bouches-de-l'Elbe, French Empire (modern Germany) |
| Allegiance |  France |
| Years of service | 1770–1813 |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Battles/wars | French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars |
| Awards | Baron of the Empire Legion of Honour |
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Antoine Étienne de Tousard (born December 9, 1752 – died September 15, 1813) was a French general and military engineer. He served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He was also the last military engineer for the Order of Saint John. He was the brother of Louis de Tousard.
Contents
A Life of Service
Antoine Étienne de Tousard was a very important military engineer. He helped design and build strong defenses for France. He also worked for the Knights of Saint John.
Early Life and Training
Tousard studied at the Royal Engineering School of Mézières. This was a famous school for engineers. In 1770, he became a lieutenant in the army. Fourteen years later, in 1784, he was promoted to captain.
Working in Malta
In 1792, Tousard was sent to Malta. At that time, Malta was ruled by the Order of Saint John. While in Malta, he improved several forts. He made changes to Fort Ricasoli. He also turned the old St. Lucian Tower and Battery into Fort Rohan. Most famously, he designed Fort Tigné. The leader of the Knights, Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc, honored Tousard for his work. He made him a Knight of Grace, and later a Knight of Justice.
Adventures with Napoleon
After the French took control of Malta in 1798, Tousard joined Napoleon. He went with Napoleon on his campaign to Egypt. After the city of Alexandria was captured, Tousard became a deputy director. He helped manage the building of fortifications. He was injured during the Battle of Aboukir Bay in August 1798.
In 1799, he joined an expedition into Syria. He was in charge of building projects in Gaza and Arish. In 1801, General Menou made him a Chef de Brigade. This rank was officially confirmed in France in 1802. Later that year, he became the director of fortifications.
Preparing for Invasion and Later Campaigns
In 1803, Tousard joined the Armée d'Angleterre. This army was preparing for a planned invasion of England. He received a high honor, becoming a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1803. He was promoted to Officer in 1804. From 1803 to 1805, he worked as an engineer. He was stationed in places like Bruges, Ostend, and Ambleteuse.
In 1805, Tousard was part of the 3rd Corps of the Grande Armée. He was captured in Neuburg in October 1805.
Between 1806 and 1807, he fought in campaigns in Prussia and Poland. He took part in major battles. These included the Battles of Jena, Eylau, Heilsberg, and Friedland.
General and Baron
Tousard was promoted to brigadier general in July 1807. From 1808 to 1809, he was in charge of engineering for the 3rd Corps. This corps was stationed in the Duchy of Warsaw. In September 1808, he was given the title of Baron of the Empire. This was a special honor from the French Empire. In June 1809, he was seriously wounded while fixing a bridge in Linz.
In 1810, he joined the fortifications committee. He was responsible for inspecting forts in a military region. In 1813, he took on similar duties in other military regions.
Antoine Étienne de Tousard was sent to Hamburg in August 1813. He passed away there on September 15, 1813, at the age of 60.
