General Antoine Henri Armand Jules Élisabeth de Foissac-Latour

Young aide-de-camp who became a cavalry officer

Born: February 3, 1782

Place of Birth: Molsheim, Bas-Rhin, France

Died: March 25, 1855

Place of Death: Vailly-sur-Aisne, France

Arc de Triomphe: FOISSAC-LATUR on the east pillar

Pronunciation:

The son of an army general, Antoine Henri Armand Jules Élisabeth de Foissac-Latour joined the 21st Chasseurs à Cheval in November of 1795 at age thirteen. After turning fourteen in February, he was commissioned as a sous-lieutenant in the 9th Hussars but he was quickly appointed an aide-de-camp to his father. A year later Foissac-Latour began serving in Italy where he was promoted to capitaine in August of 1798. Serving at Mantua in 1799, he was taken prisoner when his father surrendered the fortress in July. Released in May of 1800, towards the end of 1801 Foissac-Latour became an aide-de-camp to General Mayer for his father's career had not survived the ignominy of defeat.

In 1805 Foissac-Latour joined the staff of the Army of Hanover and then during the campaign that year he became an aide-de-camp to General Berthier, brother of the marshal. In May of 1806 he joined the 7th Chasseurs à Cheval and he served on campaign with them and then two years later in October of 1808 he was promoted to chef d'escadrons in the 14th Chasseurs à Cheval. In 1809 Foissac-Latour served in Germany and that April he was wounded by a saber blow at the Battle of Eckmühl. Continuing to serve on the campaign, he was wounded by a shot to the left shoulder at the Battle of Wagram in 1809.

In 1810 Foissac-Latour was appointed a major and in 1811 he served in Spain. In 1812 he served in the Army of Portugal under Marshal Marmont and in January of 1813 he was promoted to colonel. A month later Foissac-Latour took command of the 16th Chasseurs à Cheval and that year he served on the campaign in Saxony. In 1814 he took part in the defense of France and in March he was promoted to général de brigade of the 1st Brigade of I Cavalry Corps. After the conclusion of the war, Foissac-Latour was named a Knight of Saint Louis by the restored Bourbons. He remained loyal to the king and did not take part in the Hundred Days in 1815.

Bibliography

Updated July 2021