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Jean DefransDivisional General (1811).
Date of Birth: 21.09.1771
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career during the French Revolution
- Service under Napoleon
- Danube and Italian Campaigns
- Later Military Career
- Peninsular War and Borodino
- Later Napoleonic Wars and Restoration
- Post-Napoleonic Career
- Defrance died on July 6, 1855, in Épinay-sur-Seine, Seine.
Early Life and Education
Jean Marie Antoine Defrance was born on September 21, 1771, in Vassy, Upper Marne, France. He received his military education at the École Militaire in Rebais.
Military Career during the French Revolution
In July 1789, Defrance enlisted as a volunteer in the National Guard of Rebais. He was subsequently sent to America, where he served in San Domingo from August 1798. Upon his return to France, he joined the 3rd Battalion of the National Guard on June 10, 1792, and was promoted to sub-lieutenant on July 25, 1792.
Service under Napoleon
Defrance distinguished himself in the battles of Valmy and Jemappes. In 1792-93, he fought with the Army of the North. On April 10, 1793, he was transferred to the 7th Cavalry Regiment as a sub-lieutenant. He became captain of the 16th Chasseurs à Cheval in Alençon on April 6, 1795, and adjutant of the brigade staff in the Army of the Interior on June 13, 1795.
Danube and Italian Campaigns
In February 1799, Defrance joined the Army of Mainz under General Jourdan. He served as Chief of General Staff of the division in the Danube and Helvetian Armies and participated in the battle of Zurich. In 1799, he was appointed temporary commander of the 11th Chasseurs à Cheval Brigade.
Defrance served as adjutant-general to the commander of the Italian Army on March 12, 1800, and commanded the 12th Chasseurs à Cheval Brigade on March 14, 1800. From April onwards, he fought in the Cavalry Reserve under General Nansouty in the Rhine Army. He participated in the battles of Stockach, Messkirch, and Memmingen.
Later Military Career
In May 1800, Defrance served under General Lorge in Italy. He distinguished himself at Saint-Gotthard and Marengo. On July 31, he was transferred to the 2nd Reserve Army. From December 1803, he was in the division of light cavalry in the Army of the Ocean Coast. On July 17, 1804, he became equerry of the imperial cavalcade with the rank of colonel.
On February 1, 1805, Defrance was promoted to brigadier general. He accompanied Napoleon to Austria during the 1805 campaign. In 1806, he commanded a brigade of carabineers in the 1st Division of Heavy Cavalry under General Nansouty. He participated in the battles of Jena, Willenberg, Guttstedt, and Friedland.
Peninsular War and Borodino
Defrance was recalled to France on July 19, 1810. From March 18, 1811, he commanded the mobile column of the 11th and 20th military districts. At the end of March, he was sent to Spain to join King Joseph. On June 1, 1811, he became inspector of the cavalry depot.
On January 9, 1812, Defrance was appointed commander of the 4th Cuirassier Division, which became part of the 2nd Cavalry Corps under General Montbrun on February 15. He gained fame during the Battle of Borodino, where he led the famous charge of the French cuirassiers.
Later Napoleonic Wars and Restoration
Defrance fought at Vinkovo and later commanded a squadron of the emperor's personal escort. On February 15, 1813, he took command of the 3rd (Dragoon) Division of the 3rd Cavalry Corps in Metz. He participated in the battles of Arrighi, Leipzig, Dennewitz, and Dessau.
On November 29, 1813, Defrance was appointed inspector general of cavalry repair. On January 3, 1814, he commanded a division of the Honor Guard in the Army of Champagne. He fought at La Rothière, Montmirail, and Château-Thierry. In February, he came under the command of Marshal Mortier and participated in the battles of Berry-au-Bac and Reims.
After Napoleon's abdication, Defrance sided with the Bourbons and was appointed inspector general of the 12th military district on June 3, 1814. He left the post on January 3, 1815.
Post-Napoleonic Career
During the "Hundred Days," Defrance was appointed to a minor post as commander of the cavalry depot in Troyes on May 12, 1815. Following the Second Restoration, he was dismissed from service on September 1, 1815. From 1816 to 1817, he served as inspector general of cavalry.
On January 20, 1819, Defrance became commander of the 1st military district (Paris). On November 26, 1820, he became equerry of the royal cavalcade. He later held posts as inspector general of cavalry in various districts. After the July Revolution of 1830, he was placed in reserve, but later resumed his role as inspector general.
