Sharle Leclerc Divisional General Date of Birth: 17.03.1772 Country: France

Biography of Charles Victor Emmanuel Leclerc

Charles Victor Emmanuel Leclerc was born on March 17, 1772 in Pont-Audemer. He was a divisional general in the French army and played a significant role during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Haitian Revolution. Leclerc's military career began in 1790 when he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Upper Seine Department. He was elected as a lieutenant of volunteers on October 19, 1791.

Leclerc fought in the Rhine Army in 1792 and was promoted to sub-lieutenant in the 12th Cavalry Regiment on December 1, 1792. During the Siege of Toulon in 1793, he served as the chief of staff of the Western Division and formed a close relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1797, he married Bonaparte's sister Pauline and became a full-fledged member of the "Bonaparte clan".

In April 1794, Leclerc became an adjutant to the brigade in the Ardennes Army. On May 6, 1797, he was promoted to brigadier general. He served as the chief of staff of the Italian Army from November 14, 1797, and later of the Army of England from October 20, 1798. Leclerc accompanied Bonaparte on the Egyptian expedition and played an active role in the coup of 18 Brumaire.

In 1799, Leclerc suppressed an uprising in Lyon and became the commander of the 7th Division of the Rhine Army from March 15, 1800. On April 1, he took command of the 2nd Division of the Reserve Corps of the Rhine Army. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Hohenlinden during the successful war against Austria in 1800.

Leclerc became the commander of the combined division in Lyon from January 15, 1801, and in March 1801, he led the French expeditionary corps against Portugal, alongside the Spanish army. He returned to Paris in October 1801. On October 24, 1801, Leclerc was appointed as the commander of an expedition of approximately 35,000 soldiers to the island of San Domingo (Haiti) to suppress the ongoing rebellion.

Leclerc landed on San Domingo on February 6, 1802, and successfully suppressed the indigenous uprisings. Within two months, he restored order throughout the colony. However, two-thirds of his corps, including Leclerc and 15 other generals, perished due to yellow fever. The remaining troops were forced to evacuate to France after Leclerc's death.