List of French generals of the Peninsular War facts for kids

The Peninsular War (1808–1814) was a big conflict in Spain and Portugal. It was fought between France and its allies against Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. This article is about the important French military leaders, called générals (generals) and maréchals d'Empire (marshals), who served in Napoleon's army during this war. These leaders were in charge of many soldiers and played a huge role in the battles. We'll look at their ranks and some of the key actions they were involved in.

Napoleon's Big Challenge in Spain

Napoleon thought the war in Spain would be easy, but it turned into a very difficult and long fight for him. He even called it the Spanish Ulcer because it was like a constant pain that wouldn't heal. To try and win, Napoleon had to send many of his best military leaders, including thirteen of his top maréchals (marshals). These marshals were some of the most skilled commanders in his entire army.

Napoleon himself even had to go to Madrid, the capital of Spain, to try and take control. At first, only about 28,000 French soldiers entered Spain under General Junot to go to Portugal. But because the war was so tough, Napoleon eventually had to send over 270,000 more soldiers. This was more than half of his entire army! It shows just how challenging and costly the Peninsular War was for France.

Meet the French Generals and Marshals

The French army in the Peninsular War had different ranks for its top commanders. These were:

• Général de brigade (Brigade General): These generals usually commanded a brigade, which is a large group of soldiers.
• Général de division (Division General): These generals commanded a division, which is an even larger group of soldiers, made up of several brigades.
• Maréchal d'Empire (Marshal of the Empire): This was the highest military rank in Napoleon's army. Marshals were very experienced and trusted commanders, often leading entire armies or large corps.

Many brave and skilled French officers fought in the Peninsular War. Here are some of the most well-known marshals and generals who led troops in Spain and Portugal:

Famous Marshals in the Peninsula

Several of Napoleon's most famous marshals served in the Peninsular War. They were often in charge of huge parts of the French army.

Marshal Jean Lannes

Marshal Lannes was known for being very brave and aggressive in battle. He played a key role in the Second Siege of Zaragoza in 1809, where French forces had to fight very hard to capture the city. Sadly, he died later in another battle outside of Spain.

Marshal André Masséna

Marshal Masséna was a very experienced commander. He led the French invasion of Portugal in 1810. He tried to capture Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, but he was stopped by strong British and Portuguese defenses known as the Lines of Torres Vedras. He fought in battles like Buçaco and Fuentes de Oñoro.

Marshal Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult

Marshal Soult was another important marshal. He led French forces in many battles, including the Battle of Corunna and the Battle of Albuera. He was known for his determination and strategic skills. He also led French troops in the Pyrenees.

Marshal Michel Ney

Marshal Ney was famous for his courage and leadership on the battlefield. He was often called "the bravest of the brave." He fought in battles like Tudela and played a part in the First Siege of Almeida.

Marshal Auguste de Marmont

Marshal Marmont took command of the French army in Portugal after Masséna. He was wounded during the important Battle of Salamanca in 1812, which was a major defeat for the French.

Other Key Marshals

• Marshal Jourdan served as Napoleon's chief of staff in Spain and fought in the Battle of Vitoria.
• Marshal Suchet was very successful in eastern Spain, capturing cities like Lérida and Tarragona.
• Marshal Mortier led the V Corps and was involved in the Second Siege of Zaragoza.
• Marshal Victor fought in battles like Barrosa.
• Marshal Murat was in charge of French forces in Madrid when the Dos de Mayo Uprising happened in 1808.

Important Generals in the Peninsula

Besides the marshals, many generals also played crucial roles in the Peninsular War. They led divisions and brigades, fighting in countless battles and sieges.

General Jean-Andoche Junot

General Junot led the first French invasion of Portugal in 1807. He fought in the Battle of Vimeiro.

General Jean-Baptiste Drouet

General Drouet commanded different corps and armies during the war, including the IX Corps and the Army of Portugal. He fought in battles like Fuentes de Oñoro and Vitoria.

General Bertrand Clausel

General Clausel took over command at the Battle of Salamanca after Marshal Marmont and another general were wounded. This shows how generals often had to step up in difficult situations.

General Maximilien Sébastien Foy

General Foy was wounded several times during the war, showing how dangerous it was for these commanders. He fought in many battles, including Vimeiro, Corunna, and Buçaco.

General Jean François Leval

General Leval was involved in a large number of battles throughout the war, from Zornoza to Vitoria, showing his long service in the Peninsula.

These are just a few examples of the many French general officers who fought in the Peninsular War. Their actions and decisions had a huge impact on the course of this long and difficult conflict.

See also

• Chronology of events of the Peninsular War
• List of Portuguese general officers (Peninsular War)
• List of Spanish general officers (Peninsular War)
• List of French generals of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars