Charles Sapinaud de La Rairie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Sapinaud de La Rairie
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| Born | 30 November 1760 La Gaubretière |
| Died | 12 July 1829 (aged 68) La Gaubretière |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of France Véndéens Kingdom of France |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General |
| Battles/wars | War in the Vendée
War in the Vendée of 1815
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| Awards | Order of Saint Louis Pair de France |
Charles Henri Félicité Sapinaud de la Rairie (born December 30, 1760 – died August 12, 1829) was a French soldier. He became a general for the Vendéens during a big conflict called the War in the Vendée.
Contents
Life of Charles Sapinaud
Early Life and Military Start
Charles Sapinaud was born in La Gaubretière, a town in France. In 1778, when he was 18, he joined the army. He became a "cadet gentilhomme" in the Foix regiment. This was a special rank for young noblemen training to be officers.
In 1789, he left the army as a lieutenant. He went back to his home in La Gaubretière. There, he was chosen by the people to be the mayor of his town.
Joining the Vendée Uprising
In March 1793, a major conflict known as the War in the Vendée began. This was a rebellion against the French government. Sapinaud joined the rebels, who were called the Vendéens. He served under his uncle, Charles Sapinaud de La Verrie. His uncle was part of the Catholic and Royal Army, which was the main rebel force.
His uncle was sadly killed in July 1793. After this, Charles Sapinaud de La Rairie took over his uncle's command.
The Virée de Galerne and New Command
In October, Sapinaud's army joined a large march called the Virée de Galerne. This was when the Vendéen army tried to move north. During the Battle of Le Mans in December 1793, he got separated from his main army. Despite this, he managed to find his way back to the Vendée region.
After the death of another important general, Charles de Royrand, Sapinaud became the leader of the Catholic and Royal Army of the Centre. In early 1794, he fought against the "infernal columns." These were special French government forces known for their harsh tactics. Sapinaud became one of the main Vendéen generals, alongside François de Charette and Jean-Nicolas Stofflet.
Agreements and Conflicts Among Generals
In April 1794, the four main Vendéen generals, including Sapinaud, signed an agreement. They promised to help each other in battle. However, soon after, two generals, Charette and Stofflet, had disagreements with another general, Gaspard de Bernard de Marigny. Marigny decided to leave the army.
A military court decided to condemn Marigny to death. Sapinaud, however, refused to vote for his execution. Despite this, Marigny was later shot by Stofflet's men in July 1794.
Seeking Peace
By the end of 1794, the Vendéen rebels and the French government began to talk about peace. Sapinaud signed the Treaty of La Jaunaye with Charette on February 17, 1795. This treaty brought a short period of peace.
But the peace did not last long. Sapinaud rejoined the war on October 3, 1795. His army was much smaller by then. In early 1796, Stofflet and Charette were captured and executed by the government forces. Sapinaud was left with only a few dozen men. He then signed another peace agreement in Nantes in January 1796.
In 1797, he married Marie-Louise Charette.
Later Conflicts and Restoration
The war started again on October 15, 1799. Sapinaud once more took command of his army. However, on November 9, a major political event happened. Napoleon Bonaparte took power in France in what was called the coup of 18 Brumaire. This event surprised the Vendéens and other rebels. They started new peace talks in December.
Napoleon offered peace terms. Some generals disagreed with these terms, but Sapinaud chose to support peace. He signed the peace agreement on January 18, 1800.
In 1814, Napoleon was defeated. The old French monarchy was brought back. Sapinaud was given the high rank of Lieutenant-General.
When Napoleon briefly returned to power in 1815 (a period called the Hundred Days), Sapinaud again took up arms. He fought in the War in the Vendée and Chouannerie of 1815. After another general, Louis du Vergier de La Rochejaquelein, died, Sapinaud briefly led the Catholic and Royal Army of Vendée. But he resigned after a few days and named Charles d'Autichamp as his replacement. After the Vendéens lost a battle, Sapinaud again supported peace.
After the monarchy was fully restored, Sapinaud became a duke and a "Pair de France." This was a very important noble title. He passed away on August 12, 1829, in his hometown of La Gaubretière.
Sources
- Émile Gabory, Les Guerres de Vendée, Robert Laffont, édition de 2009, p. 1443.
