MenuGeneral Toussaint Campi
Born: October 31, 1777
Place of Birth: Ajaccio, Corsica, France
Died: October 12, 1832
Place of Death: Lyon, France
Arc de Triomphe: CAMPI on the east pillar
Pronunciation:
Toussaint Campi's first record of military service came in 1797 when he served as a lieutenant in Italy. The next year he served in the Army of Switzerland and fought at Unterwalden where he was wounded by a shot to both thighs. In 1799 Campi was serving at Turin where he defended the entrance to the arsenal and was wounded by a bayonet to the left side and taken prisoner. Campi was transported to Austria as a prisoner of war and remained there until finally released in 1801.
Once back in France, Campi was promoted to capitaine and then employed in the staff of the 9th military division. In 1804 he joined the staff of the grenadiers of the reserve and then in 1805 he became an aide-de-camp to Marshal Masséna. Following Masséna, he served in the Army of Naples in 1806 and then the Grande Armée in 1807. A promotion to chef de bataillon came later that year.
In 1809 Campi continued to serve as Masséna's aide-de-camp throughout the Danube campaign. That May he distinguished himself at Efferding and Ebersberg before fighting at Aspern-Essling where he was wounded by a shot to the right leg. After that battle, Campi was promoted to colonel of the 26th Light, which he led into action at Wagram in July. Continuing to fight, Campi and his men served at Kronenburg, Stockerau, Hollabrunn, and then Znaim where he was wounded by three bayonet blows. After the war was concluded he was named a Baron of the Empire.
In 1810 Colonel Campi was sent to the Army of Illyria, and then the following year he was put at the disposal of the viceroy of Italy, Prince Eugene. In August of 1811 he took command of the 65th of the Line in Spain and then the next year he led them into battle at Salamanca, where he was wounded by a shot to the left foot. April of 1813 saw Campi promoted to général de brigade and then in May he took command of a brigade of the 46th Infantry Division in Italy. That September Campi fought at Feistritz and then was repulsed at Assling, and then in February of 1814 he fought at the Battle of the Mincio.
After Napoleon's abdication in April, Campi was put on non-activity by the restored Bourbons. When Napoleon returned from exile in 1815 for the Hundred Days, Campi rallied to him and was given command of the 2nd Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division of II Corps. He took part in the campaign in Belgium that June and was grievously wounded at the Battle of Waterloo. Afterwards, he was put on non-activity. At the end of 1818 Campi resumed his career with the army and in 1831 he was promoted to lieutenant general.
Bibliography
Updated July 2024
© Nathan D. Jensen