James Bartholomew Blackwell facts for kids

James Bartholomew Blackwell (1763–1820) was an Irish officer who served in the French army. He received his military ranks from three different French governments: King Louis XVI, the First French Republic, and later Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

James was a friend of important figures like Georges Danton and Camille Desmoulins. He even took part in the famous storming of the Bastille in July 1789, which was a key event in the French Revolution.

After serving France, he helped the Society of United Irishmen. He traveled to Ireland twice to support rebellions. First, in December 1796, with Lazare Hoche before the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Then, in September 1798, he went with James Napper Tandy after the rebellion was defeated.

After this second trip, he was held in Hamburg and sent back to Ireland. He was finally released at the end of 1802 because of the Treaty of Amiens. He then returned to serve France, rising to the rank of Chef de bataillon, which is like a major.

Early Life and Studies

James Bartholomew Blackwell was born in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. He was born around 1763. His uncle, Dr. Bartholomew Murray, was a kind supporter of the Irish College in Paris.

When James was about eleven, he moved to Paris. He joined the Collège des Lombards using money left by his uncle. He started studying to become a priest there.

Many Irish students came to Paris to study at this time. They often faced money problems. Luckily, James had a special scholarship, called a "burse," from his uncle. This helped him a lot.

However, James soon realized he didn't want to be a priest. So, he changed his studies to medicine at the Bicêtre Hospital. Many Irish students were very good at medicine in Paris.

Joining the Military

Many Irish students who started studying for the priesthood later chose military careers. This is what happened to James Blackwell. In 1786, he joined the Regiment de Walsh. This was part of the Irish Brigade (France) in the French army.

At the same time, he became a French citizen. This was important because it protected him later in life. He stayed with this regiment until it was officially closed in 1791.

The French Revolution

Before the French Revolution began, James Blackwell supported the reform movement. He became close friends with important leaders like Georges Danton and Camille Desmoulins. These friends helped start the uprising on July 14, 1789.

On that day, revolutionaries took weapons from a military hospital. They then aimed for the Bastille, a state prison. The Bastille was seen as a symbol of the king's unfair power.

James Bartholomew Blackwell was chosen to lead a group of attackers. His group was the first to move against the strong fortress. The storming of the Bastille was a huge event. It marked the end of the absolute power of the king in France.

Military Service in France

After his first regiment was disbanded in 1791, Blackwell became a captain in the Hussards Braconniers. This was a special cavalry group. In 1793, this group became an official part of the French army.

They fought in important battles, like the Battle of Valmy in September 1792. In this battle, they won a big victory against the Prussians. On the same day, the French monarchy was abolished. They also won against the Austrians in the Battle of Jemappes in November.

During these campaigns, Joachim Murat served under Captain Blackwell. Murat later became a famous Marshal of France and even King of Naples.

Blackwell also spoke out against his former college superiors. He accused them of misusing money and supporting enemies of the Revolution.

Marriage and the Reign of Terror

During this time, Blackwell met Sophie Wade, an Englishwoman. He helped rescue her and her father, Colonel Wade, from being tried during the Reign of Terror. Because they were English, they were imprisoned in 1794. Blackwell, with some comrades, demanded their release.

Sophie Wade and James Blackwell were married soon after.

Later, Murat, who had served under Blackwell, showed too much attention to Madame Blackwell. This led to a duel between the two officers. However, when Murat was in danger during the Reign of Terror, Blackwell protected him. Blackwell even signed a letter recommending Murat for a new military position.

James Blackwell also helped his old college friend, Father James Coigly. When Coigly was wanted for arrest, Blackwell gave him a safe place to stay. He even offered to help him find work as a priest.

Blackwell played a key role in the final uprising of the Revolution in October 1795. Royalist groups threatened the government in Paris. Napoleon Bonaparte ordered Murat and Blackwell to quickly seize the rebels' artillery. They succeeded, saving the government.

Expedition to Ireland (1796)

The next year, Blackwell, now a Colonel, joined Theobald Wolfe Tone on Lazare Hoche's expedition to Bantry Bay in Ireland. They left Brest on December 16, 1796, with many ships and soldiers.

However, the expedition was a complete disaster. Thick fog and bad weather scattered the fleet. The main fleet reached Bantry Bay but without their commander, General Hoche. After five days of bad weather and no commander, the fleet returned to France.

Tandy's Expedition (1798)

Because Wolfe Tone insisted, another French expedition was sent to Ireland in 1798. James Napper Tandy was given a separate mission. He was in charge of a fast ship called the Anacreon. His job was to deliver supplies to French forces and Irish rebels.

Tandy often stayed at Colonel James Blackwell's house in Paris. Blackwell's wife and Tandy became good friends. Unfortunately, a young Irishman named Murphy, introduced by Blackwell, turned out to be a spy. Another spy was also on board the Anacreon.

The Anacreon left Dunkirk for Ireland on September 4, 1798. When they learned that the French forces in Ireland had been defeated, they decided to turn back. The spies on board argued against this, but the order to leave was given.

Blackwell was an experienced soldier, and Tandy relied on him a lot. They realized it was too risky to return directly to France. So, they sailed to Bergen, Norway. From there, they traveled overland to France using fake names. James Blackwell pretended to be "Mr. Bleifest."

They arrived in Hamburg on November 22. There, they met other Irish fugitives.

Arrest and Imprisonment

It seems that one of their companions, Samuel Turner, betrayed them. The authorities were given information about the Irish fugitives. James Blackwell strongly protested his arrest, saying he was a French officer.

Blackwell was held in the dungeons of a police station in Hamburg. He wrote many letters to French officials, always stating his loyalty to France. He also tried to get better conditions for the Irish prisoners.

The Hamburg authorities did improve conditions for Blackwell. They removed his chains and even got him a German teacher. However, the imprisonment still took a toll on him.

On October 1, 1799, the prisoners were handed over to the British government. They were taken to England and then to Ireland. Colonel Blackwell was charged with treason.

He was held in Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. He complained about the food and often argued with the other prisoners. He even had what seemed to be an epileptic fit.

Release and the Irish Legion

In March 1800, Blackwell suggested being exchanged for a British officer. He argued that his situation was different because he had become a French citizen in 1784. His wife also wrote to the authorities, asking for his release.

Colonel James Blackwell was released without a trial on December 11, 1802. This happened after the Treaty of Amiens came into effect.

After his release, Napoleon decided to form an Irish Legion in 1803. This was for Irish people who had sought safety in France. James Bartholomew Blackwell, then 43 years old, was named the colonel of this new battalion.

However, another officer, MacSheehy, actually ran the Irish Legion. In 1804, the Legion had to take a new oath to Napoleon, who had become emperor. Blackwell signed the oath. But later, he tried to take back his signature, saying he agreed with other officers who questioned it. Because of this, Blackwell lost his command of the Legion.

Later Military Service and Final Years

After losing his command, Blackwell rejoined the main French army. He served in the cavalry during Napoleon's campaigns in Prussia and Austria. In 1806, he was fighting near Warsaw.

By 1810, he was known as a "Major General in the Grand Army." He had also received the Légion d'honneur, a high French award. In 1812, he was confirmed in the rank of Chef de bataillon.

It's possible he fought in the Russian Campaign and was wounded. In 1813, he was appointed Commander of the town of Bitche in France, likely while recovering.

In 1816, James Bartholomew Blackwell was appointed Governor of La Petite Pierre. The last record of him is from July 1819. This document confirmed him as an officer of the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour, which came with a yearly payment.

James Bartholomew Blackwell died in 1820 and was buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.