Auguste Jean-Gabriel de Caulaincourt General of Napoleon's army Date of Birth: 16.09.1777 Country: France

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. Military Service under Napoleon
3. Recognition and Promotions
4. Russian Campaign and Death
5. Legacy
6. Brother's Memoirs

Early Life and Military Career

Count Armand-Augustin-Louis de Caulaincourt was born into a noble family on September 16, 1777, in the ancestral estate of Caulaincourt. At the age of 14, he joined the Royal Cuirassier Regiment. Following the outbreak of the French Revolution, he defected to the revolutionary cause and served in various cavalry units, rising to the rank of captain in the 21st Dragoon Regiment.

Military Service under Napoleon

In 1799, Caulaincourt distinguished himself under the command of Generals Kléber and Mortier in the Swiss campaign against Suvorov's forces. He fought with bravery at the Battle of Stockach and was wounded at the Battle of Mutten. In 1800, he served with distinction in Italy as squadron commander of the 1st Dragoon Regiment, earning two wounds at Vede-Lago and Marengo.

Recognition and Promotions

During the 1805 campaign against Russia, Caulaincourt performed admirably at the Battle of Austerlitz, earning the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. On August 10, 1806, he was promoted to brigadier general. He participated in the French campaigns on the Iberian Peninsula in 1808 and played a pivotal role in the remarkable crossing of the Tagus River against overwhelming odds on August 8, 1809. For his service in Spain, he was granted the title of Baron of the French Empire on March 19, 1808, and promoted to divisional general on September 7, 1809, becoming commander of the 8th Corps' cavalry.

Russian Campaign and Death

In 1812, Caulaincourt served as Chief of Staff of Napoleon's Imperial Headquarters during the invasion of Russia. At the Battle of Borodino, he took command of the 2nd Cavalry Corps following the death of General Montbrun. However, he himself fell in battle while leading an attack on Raevsky's Battery and the positions of the 24th Russian Infantry Division.

Legacy

Napoleon's 18th Bulletin from Mozhaisk paid tribute to Caulaincourt's heroism: "Divisional General Count de Caulaincourt, commander of the 2nd Cavalry Corps, at the head of the 5th Cuirassier Regiment, stormed the left redoubt through its gorge. From that moment, the battle was won... Count Caulaincourt, having brilliantly accomplished his mission..., fell, struck by a bullet... A glorious and enviable death!" Caulaincourt's name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Brother's Memoirs

Caulaincourt's brother, Armand-Augustin-Louis de Caulaincourt, left behind influential memoirs of the Russian campaign of 1812. During the "Hundred Days," he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of France.