General Louis Pierre Montbrun

Cavalry general who led the famous charge at Somosierra and was killed at Borodino

Born: March 1, 1770

Place of Birth: Florensac, Hérault, France

Died: September 7, 1812

Cause of Death: Killed in action

Place of Death: Borodino, Russia

Arc de Triomphe: MONTBRUN on the east pillar

Pronunciation:

Louis Pierre Montbrun's military career began when he enlisted in the chasseurs of Alsace in May of 1789. From 1792 to 1794 he served in the Army of the North and the Army of the Moselle, and in 1794 he was transferred to the Army of the Sambre and Meuse and commissioned as a sous-lieutenant. The next major event in Montbrun's career came in July of 1796 when he distinguished himself at the combat of Altendorf. During the fighting he was wounded and more importantly he fought off the enemy and prevented General Richepanse from falling into enemy hands. For this he was promoted to lieutenant on the battlefield. After a promotion to capitaine came in 1797, Montbrun was transferred to the Army of Mainz in 1798 and later to the Army of the Rhine. In October of 1799 he led a successful attack on one of the bridges near Frankfurt and he was promoted to chef d'escadrons the day after the battle. Less than a week later, at the fighting near Gross-Gerau Montbrun was wounded by two saber blows, one to the face and one to the left arm. After a short time with the 5th Dragoons in March of 1800, Montbrun was transferred to the 1st Chasseurs à Cheval. With this unit he distinguished himself at Erbach in May and defended the defile at Kirchberg in June. Later in June Montbrun was promoted to chef de brigade of the 1st Chasseurs à Cheval. He was next stationed at Ulm where he successfully repulsed a sortie against the garrison in July.

From 1803 to 1805 Montbrun served at the camp of Bruges. In September of 1805 he was placed in Viallannes' brigade in Marshal Davout's III Corps, with which he distinguished himself at the combat of Reid in October and then at Austerlitz in December. On Christmas Day Montbrun was promoted to général de brigade and shortly thereafter he was transferred to the Army of Naples. After briefly serving under Reynier, he was placed under General Espagne's command until he was called back to the Grande Armée in September of 1806. Taking command of the Württemberg cavalry under Vandamme in October, he was placed in Jérôme Bonaparte's IX Corps in Silesia that November. In December Montbrun served at the siege of Breslau and won at Strehlen and Ohlau.

In March of 1807 Montbrun took command of the cavalry of V Corps from Debelle and then in June he distinguished himself during the recovery of the camp of Borki from the enemy. The year of 1808 was a year of rewards for Montbrun as he was created a Baron of the Empire and awarded the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Württemberg. Service in Spain followed as he was sent there to take command of the light cavalry of Victor's I Corps. That November, as the Spanish defended the pass at Somosierra , the first assault to take the position was repulsed. Napoleon called upon Montbrun to lead the Polish light cavalry in a new assault. The charge was successful and became a legend.

The following January Montbrun returned to Paris and then in March he was promoted to général de division. That month he also married the daughter of General Joseph Morand. In April Montbrun was placed under Marshal Davout, and he served at Thann, Schierling, and Eckmühl before winning at Nittenau. In June he served at Raab and won at Acs. For his service he earned more rewards, becoming a Knight of the Iron Crown and a Count of the Empire.

In April of 1810 Montbrun was sent back to Spain to take command of the cavalry of the Army of Portugal. He first served at the siege of Almeida, and though he did not take part in the Battle of Bussaco , after the battle he successfully turned the British position. After fighting at Alenquer and Fuentes de Oñoro , the next year he was made a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor. In September of 1811 he was victorious at El Bodon and then in December he traveled to Aragon with reinforcements.

General Montbrun returned to France in January of 1812 and the next month he took command of the II Cavalry Corps in Murat's Cavalry Reserve. Serving on the Russian campaign, he fought and was victorious at Swentsiany, and then again on the Dvina River. During this campaign, the Russians mounted a counterattack against his unit. Suffering from an attack of gout, Montbrun was unable to pull on his boots, and so mounting his horse, he simply rode to battle without his boots.¹

Montbrun had a presentiment about his upcoming fate at the Battle of Borodino.² Soon after the start of the battle, he was hit directly in the stomach by shell fragments. As he was hit he exclaimed, "Good shot!" and then fell to the ground.³ A few hours later he was dead, and General Caulaincourt assumed his command, only to be killed within a few hours too.

Notes

Bibliography

External Links:

Biography by Terry J. Senior

Updated September 2024