 |
Diugem DiuemCount, divisional general.
Country:
 France |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- Revolutionary Wars
- Italian Campaigns
- Napoleonic Wars
- Return to France and Waterloo
Early Life and Military Career
Jean Joseph Dominique Dufourwas born on February 21, 1764, in Grenoble, France. During the French Revolution, he joined the National Guard in 1789 and was elected captain of the 2nd Battalion of Volunteers of the Rhône and Loire region on September 29, 1791.
Revolutionary Wars
Dufour fought with distinction in the Revolutionary Wars, serving in the Army of the North from 1792 to 1794. On October 26, 1792, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commander of the 4th Gennegau Battalion. On October 7, 1793, representatives of the Committee of Public Safety promoted him to brigadier general on the battlefield (confirmed on April 12, 1794).
Italian Campaigns
In 1798, Dufour commanded the right wing of General Championnet's army during the invasion of Naples. In 1799, he replaced Championnet as commander of the Army of the Alps and led it to victory at the Battle of Pinerolo on October 29.
Napoleonic Wars
During the Napoleonic Wars, Dufour commanded the 4th Division of the Italian Army in 1805 and the 3rd Corps of the Army of Naples in 1806. In 1808, he entered Spain and occupied Barcelona. He was appointed governor of Barcelona in 1808 and clashed with French diplomats in 1810, leading to his dismissal.
Return to France and Waterloo
After Napoleon's first abdication, Dufour was appointed inspector general of infantry on June 1, 1814. During the Hundred Days, he joined Napoleon's forces and was appointed a Peer of France on June 2, 1815. He commanded the 11th Division of the 3rd Corps at Waterloo, leading the attack on the Prussian corps under Bülow at Plancenoit. However, he was defeated and heavily wounded in the final battle, dying in captivity from his wounds.
