François-Xavier Octavie Fontaine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
François-Xavier Octavie Fontaine
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| Born | November 7, 1762 Saint-Remy, Haute-Saône |
| Died | May 17, 1812 (aged 49) Paris |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France.svg){kind=small} Kingdom of France French First Republic First French Empire |
| Battles/wars | American War of Independence French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars |
| Awards | Baron of the Empire |
François-Xavier Octavie Fontaine was a brave French soldier. He was born on November 7, 1762, in a place called Saint-Remy, Haute-Saône. He passed away in Paris on May 17, 1812.
Fontaine served in the French army during several important conflicts. These included the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the Napoleonic Wars. He was known for his courage and leadership.
Contents
A Soldier's Life: François-Xavier Octavie Fontaine
Joining the Army and Fighting in America
Fontaine joined the army in 1778 when he was about 16 years old. From 1779 to 1782, he fought in the American Revolutionary War. This war helped the American colonies gain their freedom from Great Britain.
Fontaine served under a famous French general named Rochambeau. He showed great bravery during the Siege of Pensacola in 1781. A siege is when an army surrounds a city or fort to try and capture it.
Battles in Europe and Promotions
Later, Fontaine was wounded during the Siege of Menin in Europe. He received a bayonet stab in his chest. A bayonet is a knife attached to the end of a rifle.
On May 1, 1793, he was promoted to lieutenant. This is an officer rank in the army. He then took part in campaigns in the Vendée region of France. There was a revolt happening there at the time. He also joined a military trip to Ireland.
Bravery at the Battle of Ostrach
Fontaine showed incredible bravery at the Battle of Ostrach. He was part of the "Advanced Guard," which is the front part of an army. His group was caught between Austrian and French soldiers in a village called Hosskirch. Many of his troops were hurt.
It was hard to escape without being defeated. But Fontaine used a thick fog to hide his soldiers. He led them through a narrow channel of the Ostrach River. He managed to join up with another part of the French army. His commander, Jourdan, praised him for being calm and brave during this dangerous retreat. Later that year, he also helped in the siege of Philipsburg.
Later Wars and Honors
After fighting in wars against Austria and Prussia in 1805 and 1806, Fontaine went to Spain. There, he fought in the Peninsular War. This was a part of the larger Napoleonic Wars.
He returned to France in 1810. The French emperor, Napoleon, honored him greatly. Napoleon made him a baron of the empire. This was a special title given for important service. François-Xavier Octavie Fontaine passed away in Paris on May 17, 1812.
