General Charles François Charton

Général de brigade who was killed at Castellaro

Born: November 16, 1765

Place of Birth: Boucq, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

Died: September 12, 1796

Cause of Death: Killed in action

Place of Death: Castellaro, Italy

Arc de Triomphe: CHARTON on the south pillar

Pronunciation:

The son of a notary, Charles François Charton's military career began on July 15, 1789 when he joined the National Guard of Versailles. Three years later in January of 1792 he was commissioned as a sous-lieutenant in the 28th Infantry Regiment and then in August of that year he received another promotion, this time to lieutenant. Sent to the Army of the Alps and then the Army of Italy, Charton took part in the fighting at Moulient and Authion in 1793. That September he fought at Saint-Martin-de-Lantosque and then in October he fought at Utelle where he was grievously wounded by a ball to the upper abdomen. Nevertheless, he recovered enough to take part in the Siege of Toulon and afterwards he was promoted to chef de bataillon by the representatives of the people.

In 1794 Charton returned to the Army of Italy and he was then sent to Entrevaux under General Sérurier. The next year he helped to put down the insurgents of Toulon at Cuges and then he received a promotion to général de brigade. At the end of the year Chartron took command of a brigade of Garnier's division.

After General Bonaparte arrived in 1796 to take command of the Army of Italy, Chartron took part in the campaign that followed. On April 29th he was named commander of Mondovi under Haquin and then in July he was named commander of Cherasco. That August Chartron was assigned to Sahuguet's division and then in September he fought at Castellaro where he was killed in battle.

Bibliography

Updated February 2025