Colonel Paul Denoyer

Chef de brigade of infantry who distinguished himself repeatedly in Egypt and Syria



Born: February 11, 1768

Place of Birth: Belleville, Paris, France

Died: November 1, 1799

Cause of Death: Killed in action

Place of Death: Damietta, Egypt

Arc de Triomphe: DESNOYERS on the south pillar


Pronunciation:



The son of a wine merchant, Paul Denoyer enlisted in the army in April of 1783. At the onset of the Revolution, in 1789 he left the army on July 11th so that he could join the National Guard of Paris on July 14th. In August of 1792 Denoyer was named a chef de bataillon of the 10th Battalion of Federalists. Denoyer's next promotion came in May of 1794 when he was named chef de brigade of the 21st demi-brigade. That September he fought at the combat of Chartreuse in Belgium where he was wounded. In October of 1795 Denoyer was taken prisoner and he was not released until 1797. Once back in France he took command of the 2nd demi-brigade.

Denoyer took part in the expedition of Egypt and he distinguished himself at the Battle of the Pyramids . Continuing to serve with the Army of the Orient, in February of 1799 while serving under Junot he distinguished himself at the Battle of Nazareth. In October of 1799 Sir Sydney Smith disembarked with Turkish troops near Damietta. General Verdier reacted quickly and ordered an attack with the bayonet before all of the enemy could get ashore. Denoyer took part in this fight, the Battle of Damietta, also known as the Battle of Lesbeh, which led to a great victory for the French, but Denoyer was mortally wounded during the fighting.


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Updated March 2018

© Nathan D. Jensen