Antuan Lassalle Division general (12/30/1806). Date of Birth: 10.05.1775 Country: France

Biography of Antoine Lasalle

Antoine Louis Charles de Lasalle, a divisional general, was born on May 10, 1775, in Metz and died on July 6, 1809, in Wagram. He was born into a noble family as the son of an ordnance officer. He began his military service on June 19, 1786, as a sub-lieutenant in the Alsatian Infantry Regiment. In May 1791, he started serving as a sub-lieutenant in the 24th Cavalry Regiment. However, during the French Revolution, the Convention decided to dismiss all officers of noble descent, and on May 4, 1792, Lasalle was retired. He renounced his officer rank and became a private in the 23rd Dragoon Regiment on February 20, 1794. He fought as part of the Northern Army and was promoted to lieutenant on March 10, 1794. Lasalle's close relationship with François Joseph Kellermann, the future Marshal Kellermann, led to his appointment as his father's adjutant on May 20, 1796. François Joseph Kellermann commanded the Italian Army at that time. Lasalle gained fame during the Italian campaign for his selfless bravery. He was taken prisoner during the Battle of Brescia on July 29, 1796, but released on his word of honor.

Lasalle was appointed as commander of a hussar squadron on January 6, 1797. He was considered one of the best cavalrymen in the army. Napoleon said, "The Battle of Rivoli was won by Massena, Joubert, Lasalle, and me" (Lasalle captured an Austrian battalion as a prisoner during the Battle of Rivoli). He also participated in the Egyptian Expedition. His daring attack during the Battle of the Pyramids determined the outcome of the battle. After the battle, Napoleon promoted him to colonel and appointed him as commander of the 22nd Dragoon Half Brigade on July 23, 1798. Acting as the rearguard of Davout's troops, Lasalle distinguished himself in battles at Saorgio, Soglio, Sambughetto, Shebreis, Salahiyeh, and Redemi. At the end of the campaign, on August 25, 1800, he took command of the 10th Hussar Regiment. He returned to France together with Napoleon. In 1800, he fought in Italy and then served in the Gironde Observation Corps. In December 1803, he married the divorced wife of General Leopold Berthier, Josephine d'Ogilvy. On February 1, 1805, he was promoted to brigadier general. In the 1805 campaign, he commanded the 1st Dragoon Division's brigade from March 2, and from August 26, the 2nd brigade (4th and 14th Dragoon Regiments) of the same division in the Grande Armée. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Austerlitz. From December 13, 1805, he commanded the brigade of light cavalry in the 5th Corps of the Grande Armée. From October 1806, he commanded a brigade (5th and 7th Hussar Regiments) in the corps of Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. After the defeat at Jena-Auerstedt, he led the pursuit of the Austrian army and captured Prince Hohenlohe and 6,000 soldiers, along with 45 standards and 65 cannons, at Preßnitzau on October 28, 1806. On October 29, with only a small force, he forced the garrison of the fortress of Stettin (6,000 soldiers, 160 cannons) to surrender. Lasalle also distinguished himself in battles at Lübeck and Güldengossa. In December 1806, he was entrusted with the command of all light cavalry. He was incredibly popular and had the unconditional love and authority among the French cavalry. From January 1, 1807, he commanded the Reserve Cavalry Division. He fought at Deppen, Preußisch Eylau, Königsberg, and Friedland. During the Battle of Heilsberg on June 10, 1807, he saved Joachim Murat, who was attacked by Russian dragoons. Lasalle's famous words were, "A hussar who is not dead by the age of 30 is a scoundrel, not a hussar!" On February 18, 1808, he took command of the Light Cavalry Division in Marshal Bessières' corps in Spain. In June 1808, he defeated the Spanish troops at Torquemada and then captured Valladolid. It was thanks to Lasalle's courageous actions that the French forces were able to achieve victory at Medina del Rio Seco on June 14, 1808. From September 4, 1808, he commanded the Light Cavalry Division of the 2nd Corps of the Spanish Army. He proved himself to be an outstanding commander. In the Battle of Burgos, he personally led the attack of the 2nd Dragoon Regiment and captured an entire division with 12 cannons and 17 standards. He gained further fame as a hero of the Spanish War. In the 1809 campaign, from May 19, he commanded the 1st Light Cavalry Division as part of Marshal Bessières' Reserve Cavalry. He distinguished himself in battles at Altenburg and Raab. In the Battle of Essling, Lasalle's division lost nearly half of its strength. He was killed by an enemy bullet in the Battle of Wagram. Napoleon ordered a monument to be erected in Lasalle's honor on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. In a letter to his wife, Lasalle wrote, "My heart is for you, my blood is for the emperor, and my life is for honor."