Pier Alorna Marquis, divisional general in the French service. Country: France

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. Service in Portugal and Imprisonment
3. Collaboration with the French
4. Fighting for France
5. Later Years and Death

Early Life and Military Career

Piere d'Almenda was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1755. He joined the Portuguese military as an aide-de-camp to a general in the Portuguese contingent of the Spanish army during the Pyrenean campaign against France in 1793. After distinguishing himself in battle on November 26, 1793, he took command of the Portuguese Legion, which was renamed after him in 1789.

Service in Portugal and Imprisonment

In 1799, Almenda was promoted to brigadier general. In 1806, he was accused of conspiracy against Queen Regent Charlotte of Bourbon, and was subsequently banished from the Portuguese court by her husband, Regent John. After leaving Portugal, Almenda rejoined the military.

Collaboration with the French

In October 1807, Almenda participated in the defense of Elvas against the Spanish as a divisional general. After being forced to withdraw his troops in December, he served as governor of the Alem-Tejo province until late December 1807, when he was appointed inspector general and commander of all Portuguese forces in the provinces of Beira, Trás-os-Montes, and Estremadura by French General Junot. On February 15, 1808, he became inspector general of all Portuguese forces in the kingdom.

Fighting for France

Almenda fought in Spain from March to June 1808, and was recommended for the rank of divisional general by Junot on August 1, 1808. On April 22, 1810, he joined General Masséna's Portuguese Army as a divisional general and commander of the Portuguese Legion. He and his legion played a significant role in the capture of Almeida on August 27-28, 1810.

Later Years and Death

Almenda traveled to France in July 1811, and remained in Bayonne until September 23, 1811. He was then sent to the Observation Corps of the Ocean Coast on January 30, 1812. On March 21, 1812, Almenda received the rank of divisional general in the French service and assumed command of the regiment of Portuguese Chasseurs à Cheval the following day. He and his regiment fought in Napoleon's invasion of Russia, and were attached to General Claparede's division from August 5, 1812. Almenda was appointed commandant of Mogilev on the same day. He died during the Great Army's retreat from Russia in 1813.