Felipe Augusto de Saint-Marcq facts for kids
Felipe Augusto de Saint Marcq y D'Ostrel (1762–1831) was a brave military leader born in Belgium. He served as an officer for the King of Spain. He is well-known for his important role in the Peninsular War. He even led Spanish troops during the Battle of Valencia in 1808.
Quick facts for kids
Felipe Augusto de Saint-Marcq
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| Born | 16 June 1762 Taintignies, Belgium |
| Died | 1831 (aged 68–69) Madrid |
| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Battles/wars | |
Early Military Career
Felipe Augusto de Saint Marcq started his military journey early. In 1776, when he was just 14, he joined the Walloon Guards Regiment. This was a special group of soldiers who protected the Spanish King. He worked hard and became a captain by 1795.
He fought in several important wars. In 1781, he was part of the Great Siege of Gibraltar. Later, in 1793, he fought against the French during the War of the Pyrenees. After this war, he was promoted to a higher rank called brigadier. He also took part in the War of the Oranges, which was an invasion of Portugal in 1801.
Fighting in the Peninsular War
When the Peninsular War began in 1808, Saint-Marcq was in Madrid. The French army invaded and took over the city. Luckily, he managed to escape. He traveled to Valencia, where the local government, called the junta, made him a field marshal. This was a very high military rank.
The French general, Marshal Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey, had won some smaller battles in the region. One of these was against General Pedro Adorno's troops. Saint-Marcq was given the important job of gathering the scattered Spanish soldiers. He also had to find new recruits to defend Valencia.
He managed to gather about 4,000 new soldiers. He combined them with the 7,000 or 8,000 regular troops led by Conde de Cervellon. Brigadier José Caro Sureda also brought 2,000 soldiers from a new regiment. With this combined force, Saint-Marcq helped to successfully stop Moncey's two attacks on the city of Valencia.
Saint-Marcq later helped to end the first siege of Zaragoza. He went to help José de Palafox y Melzi against the French forces led by General Jean-Antoine Verdier.
Saint-Marcq stayed in Zaragoza under Palafox's command during the defense of the city. For his bravery, he was promoted to lieutenant general. However, the city eventually surrendered to the French on February 20, 1809. Saint-Marcq was taken prisoner and sent to Nancy, France. He stayed there until the war ended in 1814.
When Ferdinand VII of Spain became king again, Saint-Marcq returned to Spain. He was given important positions as Captain General of Galicia, Valencia, and Aragón. He held these jobs until 1822, when he was sent away to Valencia during a time of political change called the Trienio Liberal.
In 1823, the French invaded again, and King Ferdinand was restored to power. Saint-Marcq was then appointed Captain General of Valencia, Murcia, and Aragon. He held these positions from 1824 to 1830.
His Final Years
Felipe Augusto de Saint Marcq died in Madrid in 1831. He passed away during a serious outbreak of cholera.
See also
In Spanish: Felipe Augusto de Saint-Marcq para niños
