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Dominique-Joseph Rene VandammeFrench military leader, division general (February 5, 1799), Count of Ensebourg and Empire (French comte d'Unsebourg; decree of March 19, 1808, patent confirmed April 1, 1809), participant in the revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
Date of Birth: 05.11.1770
Country:  France |
Content:
- Biography of Dominique Joseph René Vandam
- Early Military Career
- Napoleonic Wars
- Russian Campaign
- Later Career and Capture
- Hundred Days and Exile
Biography of Dominique Joseph René Vandam
Dominique Joseph René Vandam was a French military figure, a divisional general, and the Count of Unsebourg and the Empire. He participated in both the revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. Born on February 5, 1799, Vandam began his military career as a brigadier general during the French Revolutionary Wars.
Early Military Career
Vandam quickly rose through the ranks and became a brigadier general by the start of the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793. However, he was soon convicted by a tribunal for looting and was removed from his position. After his rehabilitation, Vandam fought in the Battle of Stockach on March 25, 1799. Due to a disagreement with General Moro, he was subsequently sent to the occupation forces in the Netherlands.
Napoleonic Wars
In the Battle of Austerlitz, Vandam commanded a division that broke through the center of the allied forces' position and captured the Pratzen Heights. During the 1809 campaign, he fought at the battles of Abensberg, Landshut, Eckmuhl, and Wagram, where he was wounded.
Russian Campaign
At the beginning of the 1812 Russian campaign, Vandam was appointed as the deputy commander of Jerome Bonaparte's 8th Westphalian Corps. However, due to Jerome's inexperience in leading a group of corps against Bagration, Vandam effectively became the commander of the corps. At the start of the campaign in Grodno, Vandam was removed from command by Jerome due to sharp disagreements.
Later Career and Capture
In 1813, Vandam was finally appointed as the commander of a corps. However, his corps was surrounded and captured by the Allies at the Battle of Kulm. When Vandam was presented to Alexander I, he responded to accusations of looting and requisitions by saying, "At least I cannot be accused of killing my father," referring to the murder of Paul I.
Hundred Days and Exile
During the Hundred Days, Vandam commanded the 3rd Corps under the leadership of Grouchy and participated in the Battle of Wavre. Following the restoration of Louis XVIII, Vandam fled to America but was allowed to return in 1819.
