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Korsele ShastlerMarquis, Field Marshal.
Date of Birth: 22.01.1763
Country:  Austria |
Content:
- Johann Gabriel Chasteler de Courcelles, Marquis and Field Marshal
- War Service and Recognition
- Battlefield Heroism and Command
- Ascendance and Prominence
- Leadership in the Face of Adversity
- Defiance and Resistance
- Later Years and Legacy
Johann Gabriel Chasteler de Courcelles, Marquis and Field Marshal
Early Life and Military CareerJohann Gabriel Chasteler de Courcelles was born on January 22, 1763, in Schloss Millbais, near Mons, Hennegau. He studied engineering in Lille and Metz before graduating from the Vienna Engineering Academy. In 1776, he enrolled as a cadet in the Austrian army but spent the following two years under the tutelage of his father.
War Service and Recognition
In 1780, Chasteler was promoted to second lieutenant in the engineering corps. He fought in the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778) and later in the Turkish Campaign (1787-1791). His distinguished service earned him a promotion to major. During the campaign of 1790-1791, he gained renown as a gifted military engineer.
Battlefield Heroism and Command
Chasteler was assigned to the Brussels garrison in 1792 and fought against the French at Namur. In 1793, he fought with Prince Josias von Coburg's army and personally led a bayonet charge that captured a French battalion at the Battle of Wattignies. The same year, he was appointed battalion commander. In September, he was sent to Mainz, where he designed and implemented fortifications. In October, he was promoted to colonel in the General Staff.
Ascendance and Prominence
From 1795 to 1796, Chasteler served as commissioner of fortifications in Austrian-occupied Poland. In 1799, he became a major general. During the Italian Campaign, he served as quartermaster general for Alexander Suvorov's Russo-Austrian army. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Trebbia. In 1800, he became second quartermaster general for General Kray's staff, which faced General Moreau's forces in Germany.
Leadership in the Face of Adversity
In 1805, Chasteler led a division in Archduke John's army in Northern Tyrol. Despite facing overwhelming odds, he attempted to organize a defense against the Franco-Bavarian forces. In 1806-1807, he commanded a division in Graan. In 1809, he assumed command in Klagenfurt and later led the 8th Army Corps in Archduke John's army in Italy. He repelled General Baraguey d'Hilliers' forces but was forced to retreat under pressure from General Eugène de Beauharnais.
Defiance and Resistance
Chasteler raised a rebellion against the French in Tyrol. Enraged by this act of defiance, Napoleon ordered that he be summarily executed if captured. However, Chasteler fought alongside Austrian forces against Marshal Marmont in Dalmatia. After the Austrian army's defeat, he relocated to Hungary.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1811-1812, Chasteler commanded the territorial forces in Silesia. In 1813, he led the defense of Prague and later commanded a reserve division. He distinguished himself at the battles of Dresden and Kulm. In late 1813, he was appointed governor of Dresden. As a military advisor, he participated in the Vienna Congress. In 1814, he was appointed military governor of Venice, a post he held until his death on May 7, 1852.
