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Paul GrenierCount, French general, governor of Mantua (part of the Cisalpine Republic).
Date of Birth: 28.01.1768
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- Rise through the Ranks
- Campaigns and Victories
- Napoleonic Wars
- Later Career
Early Life and Military Career
Born in Saarlouis, France on January 29, 1768, Nicolas Charles Oudinot (later Comte Oudinot) enlisted as a private in the 96th Line Infantry Regiment on December 21, 1784.
Rise through the Ranks
The French Revolution propelled Oudinot's career. He fought as a captain at Valmy, distinguished himself at Jemappes earning the rank of general-adjutant, and was promoted to divisional general on April 24, 1794. He continued to excel under Jordan at Fleurus in 1795, at Lahn in 1796, and at Neuwied in 1797, earning the gratitude of the Directory.
Campaigns and Victories
Oudinot covered Scherer's retreat in Italy in 1799 and was sent to gather his troops in Grenoble by General Moreau. He successfully crossed the Alps after the Battle of Novi, capturing the Austrian camp at Daluono in November 1800 and defending the Tende Gorge in May 1800. Moreau assigned him command of two divisions of the left wing in the Rhine Army, which he led through Günzburg and Ingolstadt. He participated in the battles of Hochstädt and Hohenlinden, earning the position of general-inspector of infantry after the Treaty of Lunéville.
Napoleonic Wars
In 1807, Napoleon made Oudinot a Count and Commander of the Legion of Honor. He was appointed governor of Mantua in 1809. During the Austrian campaign, he played a key role in crossing the Piave and Tagliamento rivers, capturing Malborghetto, and fighting at Sacile and Caldiero. Oudinot was wounded at Wagram and later served as chief of staff to Joachim Murat in Naples.
Later Career
In 1812, Oudinot assisted in restoring the French army in Prussia after its defeat in Russia. He commanded the 31st Division in 1813, protecting Wittenberg and later directing operations against the Austrians in Italy.
Following Napoleon's fall, Oudinot served Louis XVIII, representing Moselle in the Chamber of Deputies and becoming its vice-president. He participated in the government commission after Napoleon's second abdication and remained without a position until his death in Saarlouis on April 18, 1827. Oudinot's name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
