Frederic Walter Count (26.4.1808), divisional general Date of Birth: 20.06.1761 Country: France

1. Early Life and Career
2. Revolutionary Wars
3. Italian Campaign
4. Consulate and Empire
5. Imperial Guard
6. Peninsular War
7. Russian Campaign
8. Later Years and Legacy

Early Life and Career

Walther Frederic Henri (June 20, 1761 - November 24, 1813) was a French military leader who rose to the rank of divisional general. Born in Oberheim on the Rhine, he began his military service on May 16, 1881 as a hussar in the Berchseny Regiment.

Revolutionary Wars

With the outbreak of the French Revolution, Henri's exceptional bravery earned him swift promotion. By 1792, he was a captain. He fought in the Army of the North from 1792 to 1796 and the Army of the Alps from 1793 to 1796. Distinguished in action at Lyon in 1793, he was promoted to brigadier general on October 22, 1793.

Italian Campaign

From November 1796, Henri served in the Army of Italy. As commander of the reserve cavalry from December 9, 1796, he participated in numerous battles. He commanded cavalry under generals Oudinot, Dumas, and others.

Consulate and Empire

Following the establishment of the Consulate, Henri commanded the 4th (later 1st) Brigade of Dumas's division. In the Mainz Army from August 1798, he served under generals Saint-Cyr and Ney in 1799. He led cavalry brigades for multiple commanders, including Lorge, Suham, Soult, and Leclerc.

Imperial Guard

In 1805, Henri was appointed senior colonel of the Horse Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard. He assumed command of the 2nd Dragoon Division of the Grande Armée on August 26, 1805. His service from this point forward was inextricably linked to the command of Guard cavalry units.

Peninsular War

On October 2, 1808, Henri was given command of the Imperial Guard troops in Spain. Recalled to France in January 1809, he led the 3rd (cavalry) Guard Division from March 1809. At the Battle of Wagram, he fought under Marshal Macdonald's wing.

Russian Campaign

In 1812, Henri commanded the Guard cavalry in the invasion of Russia. He left the Grande Armée with Napoleon himself. Arriving in Paris in January 1813, he served as commander of the Horse Grenadiers in Saxony from April 1813. On August 15, 1813, he became second-in-command of the Guard cavalry and fought at the Battle of Hanau.

Later Years and Legacy

Henri's military career ended with his death at Kusel on November 24, 1813. He was a skilled and courageous commander whose service contributed significantly to the French military victories of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras.