Emmanuel de Grouchy, marquis de Grouchy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marshal
Emmanuel de Grouchy
Marquis de Grouchy
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Portrait by Jean-Sébastien Rouillard, 1835
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| Born | 23 October 1766 Paris, France |
| Died | 29 May 1847 (aged 80) Saint-Étienne, France |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France Kingdom of the French First French Republic First French Empire Bourbon Restoration (1814–1815) July Monarchy |
| Service/ |
Cavalry |
| Years of service | 1781–1815 |
| Rank | Marshal of the Empire |
| Awards | Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honour Knight of the Order of the Iron Crown Grand Cross of the Military Merit Order of Bavaria |
Emmanuel de Grouchy (born October 23, 1766 – died May 29, 1847) was a French military leader. He played an important role during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. He was the last person to be made a Marshal of the Empire by Napoleon. He is most remembered for his actions during the Waterloo campaign.
Contents
Early Life and Military Training
Emmanuel de Grouchy was born in Paris, France, on October 23, 1766. His family was part of the French nobility. He grew up at the Château de Villette, a beautiful family estate. His sister, Sophie de Condorcet, was a famous writer.
From a young age, Emmanuel was meant to have a military career. He attended the Artillery School of Strasbourg from 1780 to 1781. He became a lieutenant in the French army. Later, he joined the cavalry and became a captain. In 1786, he was made a lieutenant colonel in the King's Life Guards.
Serving During the French Revolution
Even though he came from a noble family, Grouchy supported the French Revolution in 1789. This was a time of big changes in France. Because of his support, he had to leave the King's Life Guards. However, he stayed loyal to the revolutionary cause and rejoined the army.
By 1791, he was a lieutenant colonel. In 1792, he served in the invasion of Savoy. He was promoted to colonel of the 2nd Dragoon Regiment. After a campaign in 1793, Grouchy became a brigade general. He led cavalry in the Army of the Alps.
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In 1794, Grouchy was sent to the War in the Vendée. This was a conflict against royalist rebels. He bravely defended the city of Nantes. For his actions, he was promoted to general of division. But soon after, he was removed from the army because he was of noble birth. He served as a simple soldier for a while.
He was brought back into the army the next year. He helped defend against the Quiberon Expedition in 1795. In 1796, he took part in a failed French plan to invade Ireland.
Campaigns in Italy
In 1798, Grouchy went to Italy. He worked under General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan. He skillfully convinced the King of Sardinia to give up his rule over Piedmont. He then helped organize this new territory.
Grouchy wanted to join the Egyptian campaign. But Napoleon Bonaparte chose someone else. So, Grouchy stayed with the Army of Italy. He showed great skill as a commander in 1799. During a retreat after the Battle of Novi, he was badly wounded and captured.
He was a prisoner for almost a year. While captured, he protested against Napoleon's rise to power. But after his release, Napoleon still used his skills. Grouchy fought well at the Battle of Hohenlinden. After the war, he became the Inspector General of the Cavalry.
Serving Napoleon
Grouchy joined Napoleon's campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1805, he fought in the Ulm campaign. He also fought bravely at the battles of Eylau and Friedland in 1807.
In 1808, Grouchy went to Spain. He commanded a cavalry division and became the governor of Madrid. In 1809, he led the cavalry of the Army of Italy. He helped win battles like Raab and Wagram. As a reward, he was given the title of comte d’Empire. He also became a Colonel General of the chasseurs à cheval, a type of light cavalry.
During the Russian campaign in 1812, Grouchy commanded the III Cavalry Corps. He led his troops at the battles of Smolensk and Borodino. During the difficult retreat from Moscow, Napoleon chose him to command the Sacred Squadron. This was a special unit of officers who protected the emperor.
In 1813, Napoleon did not give Grouchy command of an army corps. Because of this, Grouchy retired to his home. He did not take part in the German campaign of 1813.
When the allies invaded France in 1814, Grouchy returned to service. He asked to rejoin the army. Napoleon gave him command of a cavalry division. Grouchy led his division skillfully in several battles. These included Brienne, La Rothière, Vauchamps, and Craonne. He was badly wounded at Craonne. After Napoleon gave up his power, Grouchy retired from the army.
The Hundred Days and Waterloo
In March 1815, Napoleon returned to power. This period is known as the Hundred Days. Grouchy quickly joined Napoleon again. On April 5, 1815, he was made a Marshal of the Empire. This was a very high military rank.
Grouchy was given command of several divisions. He led operations against royalist forces in Southern France. After defeating them, he allowed their leader, the Duke of Angoulême, to leave the country. He then organized defenses in the Alpine region. On June 2, he became a Peer of France.
During the Waterloo Campaign, Grouchy commanded the reserve cavalry. After the Battle of Ligny, Napoleon ordered him to pursue the retreating Prussian army. On June 17, Grouchy was unable to catch the Prussians.
On June 18, 1815, Grouchy heard the sounds of cannons from the nearby Battle of Waterloo. His officers suggested he march towards the sound to help Napoleon. However, Grouchy decided to follow his orders exactly. His orders were to pursue the Prussians along a specific route. This decision meant that the main Prussian force joined the British and Dutch armies at Waterloo. This helped them defeat Napoleon.
Grouchy did win a tactical victory over the Prussian rearguard at the Battle of Wavre. But this battle kept him from joining Napoleon at Waterloo. After Napoleon's defeat, Grouchy gathered the remaining French soldiers. He led them back to Paris in an organized way. He then resigned his command.
Later Life and Legacy
After the Bourbons returned to power, Grouchy was exiled. He went to the United States and settled in Philadelphia. Many other French officers also went into exile there.
In November 1819, King Louis XVIII allowed him to return to France. Grouchy was reinstated as a general. But he did not get back his rank as marshal or peer of France. For many years, some people disliked him. They saw him as someone who had joined the Revolution and Napoleon. Others blamed him for Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo.
Grouchy returned to favor after the Revolution of 1830. King Louis Philippe gave him back his marshal's baton in 1831. He also restored him to the Chamber of Peers in 1832.
Grouchy died in Saint-Étienne on May 29, 1847, at the age of 80. He was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.
Family Life
Emmanuel de Grouchy was married twice. His first wife was Cécile le Doulcet de Pontécoulant (1767–1827). They had four children:
- Ernestine (1787–1866)
- Alphonse (1789–1864)
- Aimee-Clementine (1791–1826)
- Victor (1796–1864)
In 1827, he married Joséphine-Fanny Hua (1802–1889). They had one daughter:
- Noemie (1830–1843)
Writings
Grouchy wrote several books and papers about his military experiences. These included:
- Observations on the account of the 1815 campaign by General Gourgaud (1818)
- Refutation of some articles from the memoirs of Mr. the Duke of Rovigo (1829)
- Historical Fragments Related to the Campaign of 1815 and the Battle of Waterloo (1829–1830)
- Reclamation of Marshal de Grouchy (1834)
