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Alexis DelzonsThe son of a court official who became Napoleon's divisional general.
Date of Birth: 26.03.1775
Country:  France |
Content:
Biography of Alexis Delzone
Born in the family of a judicial official, Alexis Joseph Delzone rose to become a divisional general under Napoleon.
Early Military Career
Alexis Joseph Delzone's military career began in 1791 when he, a sixteen-year-old boy, volunteered for the battalion of the Cantal department. His valor quickly earned him the rank of lieutenant of grenadiers. From 1792 to 1793, he fought under the banners of the Eastern Pyrenees Army. In 1794, already a captain, Alexis Joseph distinguished himself in the Battle of Jonquières (June 7, 1794) and received his first injury. In November 1794, he participated in the siege of the Catalan town of Roses, which, although it surrendered to the French (February 3, 1795), was eventually returned to the Spaniards under the terms of the Treaty of Basel (July 22, 1795). Before the First Italian Campaign in 1796, Delzone's battalion was merged with the 8th regiment of infantry hunters and transferred to Italy. On April 12, the fearless captain led his company to capture an enemy redoubt at Montenotte, on April 14, he seized an Austrian battery in the battle of Dego, and on May 10, he crossed the Adda under enemy artillery fire at the bridge in Lodi. During the siege of Mantua, he was captured by enemy soldiers but returned to his unit eight days later through a prisoner exchange. In the Battle of Rivoli (January 14, 1797), his company withstood a powerful attack by an Austrian regiment alone, for which Alexis Joseph was promoted to the rank of battalion commander on the same day. During Napoleon Bonaparte's Egyptian campaign, Delzone took part in the capture of Alexandria (July 2, 1798) and the Battle of the Pyramids (July 21, 1798). In Egypt, at the age of 23, Alexis Joseph was promoted to the rank of colonel, and upon his return to his homeland, he was promoted to brigadier general by Napoleon's decree.
Later Military Career
Despite his active participation in the campaigns of 1804, 1805, and 1806, Delzone truly distinguished himself only during the war with Austria in 1809. His brigade was included in Marshal Marmont's corps, which fought in Dalmatia and covered the right flank of the Grand Army. Alexis Joseph's soldiers made a decisive contribution to the victory over the rearguard of Archduke Charles's army at Znaim (July 10) thanks to Delzone's tactical maneuver idea proposed during one of the military councils. After the signing of the Treaty of Schönbrunn (October 14, 1809), Delzone held administrative positions in the Illyrian Provinces (in Karlovac). After receiving the rank of divisional general (February 15, 1811), he was appointed temporary commander of the Illyrian Army. In 1812, Delzone's 13th Infantry Division came under the command of Eugène de Beauharnais, the viceroy of Italy, whom his powerful stepfather entrusted with forming a corps for the campaign against Russia. After crossing the Neman, Delzone's soldiers repeatedly demonstrated their bravery, earning the respect and admiration of the Emperor himself. This was evident in the battle of Ostrovno, where the 13th division supported Murat's cavalry attacks against Count Osterman-Tolstoy's square. On September 7, at 6 o'clock in the morning, it was Delzone's riflemen who drove Colonel Biström's jägers out of the village of Borodino, thus signaling the start of the bloodiest battle of the Napoleonic Wars.
Final Battle and Death
The last battle in General Delzone's life took place on October 24, 1812, in Maloyaroslavets. The day before, his division, which followed in the vanguard of the 4th Corps, received orders to capture the town located on the banks of the Luza River. The bridges across the river were destroyed by the local authorities, but this problem was quickly resolved, and in the evening of October 23, Delzone placed two of his battalions in the town. They were the first to bear the brunt of the attacks from two Russian jäger regiments the next morning, which soon pushed the battalions to the outskirts of the town. Eugène de Beauharnais, having brought the rest of his corps to Maloyaroslavets, ordered Delzone to retake the lost positions from the enemy. Leading the 1st Brigade (8th Light, 1st Croatian, and the legendary 84th Line Infantry Regiment), Alexis Joseph charged into the thick of the battle alongside General Serran. The French quickly managed to clear the western part of Maloyaroslavets from the Russians. Throughout this time, Delzone was ahead of his soldiers, his hat and gold-decorated uniform making him an excellent target for enemy marksmen. During a skirmish in the town cemetery, the brave general, leading his soldiers forward under intense enemy fire, received three gunshot wounds, one of which (to the forehead) proved fatal. His adjutant, Jean-Baptiste Antoine Jéro Delzone, attempting to shield his fallen brother with his own body, shared his sad fate. The French offensive was halted, and they turned to retreat. Only the timely arrival of General Guilleminot helped restore order and bring the panicked soldiers back in line.
Legacy
Alexis Joseph Delzone's body was buried on the battlefield the following day (October 25). In his native Aurillac, a monument was erected to honor the hero of the great era, which was solemnly unveiled by Generals Boulanger and Pasteur.
