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Philibert CurialFrench general, commander of the guard divisions in Napoleon's army
Date of Birth: 21.04.1774
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Beginnings
- The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
- - Suppressed the Federalist Rebellion under General Carteaux.
- - Served as an adjutant to General Almey in Egypt (1798).
- With the Imperial Guard
- The Russian Campaign and Beyond
- The Hundred Days and Later Life
A Soldier's Life: The Biography of Philibert Jean-Baptiste Joseph Curial
Early Life and Military Beginnings
Philibert Jean-Baptiste Joseph Curial was born on April 21, 1774, in Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny, France. His father was a civil judge, and his mother a member of the Council of Elders of Mont Blanc. In 1792, after the French had occupied Savoy, Curial enlisted in the Allobrogian Legion as a volunteer. He was elected captain by his fellow servicemen.
The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, Curial fought in various battles and campaigns:
- Suppressed the Federalist Rebellion under General Carteaux.
- Commanded a company in the 1st Battalion of Mont Blanc Volunteers.- Fought against the British in the Pyrenees (1793-1795).
- Joined Bonaparte's army in Italy (1795) and fought against the Austrians.
- Served as an adjutant to General Almey in Egypt (1798).
- Promoted to colonel and commanded the 88th Regiment of Line (1800).- Fought at the Battle of Alexandria (1801), receiving a wound.
- Took part in the 1805 campaign against Austria and Russia as part of Suchet's division.
- Distinguished himself at the Battle of Austerlitz, earning the Legion of Honor.
With the Imperial Guard
Curial's military career took a significant turn when he was made a major in the Imperial Guard (1806) and commanded the 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs. He fought against the Germans and Russians in Prussia (1806-1807), earning further promotions. In 1808-1809, he served in Spain, where he was given command of the 1st Division of the Young Guard.
The Russian Campaign and Beyond
On the eve of the invasion of Russia, Curial led the 3rd Division of the Old Guard throughout the campaign of 1812. After the Grand Army's disastrous retreat, he returned to France and worked on forming new units. He commanded the 1st Division of the Young Guard again in 1813, later transferring to the 2nd Division of the Old Guard. During the 1813 campaign, he distinguished himself at the battles of Waachau and Hanau.
The Hundred Days and Later Life
At the first restoration, Curial remained in service, commanding the Guard Chasseurs in Nancy. During the Hundred Days, he briefly rejoined Napoleon but did not participate in active operations. Pardoned for his inactivity, he became a member of the special court that tried Marshal Ney and advocated for his life. In 1820, he was appointed Inspector-General of Infantry. In 1823, he led the 5th Infantry Division to Spain. Upon his return, he was given a court position as First Valet of the Wardrobe. Curial died in Paris on May 30, 1829.
