Claude-Victor Perrin Marshal of France (1807) Date of Birth: 07.12.1764 Country: France

Biography of Claude Victor

Claude Victor, also known as Victor, was a Marshal of France and the Duke of Belluno. He was born on September 10, 1808, to a notary. In 1781, he joined the Grenoble Artillery Regiment as a drummer. In October 1791, he became a volunteer in the 3rd Battalion of the Drome department. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, becoming an adjutant-sub-officer, captain, 2nd lieutenant colonel, and finally a colonel on December 20, 1793. He distinguished himself during the siege of Toulon in 1793 and gained the favor of Napoleon.

On January 18, 1797, Victor was promoted to divisional general. In May 1800, during the Italian campaign, he was entrusted with the command of a temporary corps consisting of the divisions of Chabran and Chamballac. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Marengo. From 1800 to 1804, he served as the commander of the French forces in the Batavian Republic. In 1805-1806, he served as an ambassador to Denmark.

Starting from October 7, 1806, Victor became the chief of staff of the 5th Corps of the Grand Army. He played a successful role in the battles of Jena and Pultusk. In December 1806, Napoleon ordered Victor to form a new 10th Corps and besiege Danzig. However, on January 23, 1807, he was taken prisoner by Prussian insurgents and replaced by Marshal Lefebvre.

From June 6, 1807, Victor commanded the 1st Corps and participated in the Battle of Friedland. After the victory on August 9, 1807, he was appointed Governor of Prussia and Berlin. On September 7, 1808, he was sent to Spain as the head of the 1st Corps.

Victor attacked the well-fortified positions of General Blake at Espinosa on November 10, 1808, and scattered the enemy the next morning. On March 28, 1809, he defeated General Cuesta's army near Medellin. In preparation for the campaign in Russia, on April 3, 1812, he was appointed to lead the 9th Corps of the Grand Army. On October 9, he arrived in Smolensk with the 9th Corps. After the defeat of General Saint-Cyr near Polotsk in October 1812, Victor was sent from Smolensk to assist him.

On November 27, a division under Louis Partouneaux from his corps surrendered at Veselovo, while Victor's second division occupied Studenka. He covered the retreat of the remnants of the Grand Army across the Berezina River and was attacked by General Wittgenstein's troops on the morning of November 28. On the morning of November 29, he received Napoleon's order to cross to the right bank, after which the bridges were burned.

On February 18, 1814, Victor was appointed the commander of two divisions of the Young Guard. He was severely wounded in the Battle of Craonne on March 7, 1814. After the signing of the Treaty of Paris, he switched sides and supported the Bourbons. On December 6, 1814, he was appointed as the Governor of the 2nd Military District. During the "Hundred Days" period, he accompanied Louis XVIII in Ghent.

On April 10, 1815, Victor was excluded from the list of marshals by Napoleon. After the Second Restoration on August 17, 1815, he was made a peer of France, on September 8, 1815, he became a general of the Royal Guard, and on January 10, 1816, he was appointed as the Governor of the 16th Military District. During Marshal Ney's trial in 1815, he voted for the guilty verdict.

In 1821, Victor became the Minister of War. He left this position after the start of the Spanish campaign in 1823 and took on the role of a state minister. He accompanied the Duke of Angouleme to Spain. In May 1825, during the coronation of Charles X, he held the honorary position of the commander of the Reims military camp. From 1828 to 1830, he was a member of the Higher Military Council.