Etien Nansuti Count, division general. Date of Birth: 30.05.1768 Country: France

1. Biography of Étienne Nansouty
2. Early Military Career
3. Revolutionary Wars
4. Commander and Victories
5. Later Military Career and Achievements

Biography of Étienne Nansouty

Étienne Nansouty was a French count and divisional general, born on July 27, 1808. He came from a noble family and was the son of a major. Nansouty received his education at the Brienne School and the Paris Military School.

Early Military Career

Nansouty began his military service on March 26, 1785, as a sub-lieutenant in the Burgundian Cavalry Regiment. He later became a captain in the Franche-Comté Cavalry Regiment. In May 1785, he was transferred to the Hussar Regiment with the same rank. From December 20, 1791, he served as an aide-de-camp to General Ponce.

Revolutionary Wars

During the French Revolution in May 1792, Nansouty was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the 2nd (later 9th) Hussar Regiment. From 1792 to 1801, he fought as part of the Rhine Army. Under the command of General Moro, Nansouty distinguished himself in the Battle of Schliengen in 1796. On August 29, 1799, he was promoted to brigadier general.

Commander and Victories

Nansouty served in the armies of General M. Ney and later in the reserve cavalry of General C. Lecourbe. On March 9, 1800, he was appointed commander of four cavalry regiments in Paris. However, after just six days, he was transferred to the Rhine Army as the commander of a dragoon brigade.

In 1800, Nansouty commanded the cavalry of the right wing of the Rhine Army and played a decisive role in the victory at Stockach. He distinguished himself in battles such as Messkirch and Memmingen. From July 4, 1800, he served as the commander of a brigade in General S. Gudin's division. On the same day, he achieved victory at Zaulsdorf.

Nansouty later commanded the reserve cavalry of General Lecourbe's corps from September 23, 1800, to March 10, 1801. On January 1, 1802, he left the army and was appointed to an administrative position in the 22nd military district. From March 25, 1802, he was the commander in the Seine and Oise department. On May 3, he became the commander of the cavalry in the Hanoverian army of Marshal Mortier.

Later Military Career and Achievements

On January 31, 1804, Nansouty returned to Paris and on August 3, 1805, he was appointed commander of the heavy cavalry division of Prince Louis Bonaparte's reserve corps in Boulogne. Eleven days later, his division was transformed into the 1st division of cuirassiers and carabiniers in the reserve cavalry of the Grande Armée. His division soon gained a reputation as one of the best units in the army. In 1805, he was also granted the honorary title of Chamberlain to the Empress.

Nansouty distinguished himself in battles such as Wertingen, Ulm, Colozza, Golitsyno, Preussisch Eylau, Villeneuve, Gutstadt, and Friedland. At the Battle of Austerlitz, he repelled fierce attacks by Russian and Austrian cavalry and then delivered a swift blow, splitting the Austrian army in two. In 1808, he was granted the title of First Equerry of the Imperial Court.

From October 12, 1808, Nansouty commanded the 1st division of heavy cavalry in Marshal Davout's Rhine Army. In March 1808, as Equerry, he accompanied Napoleon to Spain, and in April 1809, he went with him to Germany. From April 17, 1809, he served as the commander of the 1st division of heavy cavalry in the Army of Germany. Nansouty distinguished himself in battles at Abensberg and Ratisbonne. He led a famous night attack at Eckmühl, overthrowing the Austrians. He also gained fame for his actions at Aspern and Wagram, where he fought at the head of the cuirassiers in MacDonald's forces, delivering the main blow. After the end of the hostilities, he was conferred the honorary title of First Inspector General of Dragoons.

From October 19, 1811, Nansouty commanded the 2nd and 4th divisions of cuirassiers. On January 15, 1812, he became the commander of the 2nd division of cuirassiers. From February 15, 1812, he commanded the 1st Corps of the reserve cavalry of the Grande Armée. He participated in the campaign in Russia from May to December 1812. On July 13, he unsuccessfully attacked the positions of the 4th Corps of General A.I. Osterman-Tolstoy at Ostrovno. He fought at Vitebsk and Smolensk. Nansouty was wounded in the Battle of Borodino. After the death of General L. Baraguey d'Hilliers on January 14, 1813, he was appointed as a cavalry general. From July 29, 1813, he commanded the cavalry of the Imperial Guard. Leading the Guard's cavalry, he fought at Wachau, Voisins, La Rothière, Monmirail, Troyes, Berry-au-Bac, and Craonne. His actions at Hanau allowed the French army to conduct an organized retreat. On April 20, 1814, he became a member of the Guard General Staff Committee.

After the Restoration of the Bourbons, on April 22, Nansouty was appointed as an extraordinary commissioner of the king in the 18th military district. On July 6, 1814, he was appointed to an honorary position as captain-lieutenant of the 1st company (Grisettes) of the king's Musketeers, and on July 14, he was also promoted to cavalry general.