General Jacques de Montfort

Officer who served in Martinique and Spain for a number of years

Born: July 22, 1770

Place of Birth: Sallanches, Haute-Savoie, France

Died: January 1, 1824

Place of Death: Paris, France

Arc de Triomphe: MONFORT on the north pillar

Pronunciation:

Joining the army during the Revolution, Jacques de Montfort enlisted in the 4th Battalion of Bas-Rhin in August of 1792. He was promoted to capitaine in 1793 and throughout the Revolution he served in the Army of the North and the Army of the Rhine. In August of 1799 Montfort became General Lecourbe's aide-de-camp at the action of Brunnen. Only a few days later he was promoted to chef de bataillon. In December of 1800 Montfort served at the crossing of the Inn.

In 1802 Montfort began serving on the sea and in the French colonies. Three years later in 1805 General Lauriston promoted Montfort to colonel of the 82nd of the Line serving at Martinique. Montfort served at the defense of Fort-de-France in February of 1809 and then he was taken prisoner when the island was taken by the British. By 1810 he had been returned to France and he was sent to serve in Spain. While in Spain Montfort was promoted to général de brigade in August of 1811. Two years later he joined the Army of the Pyrenees and he took command of the 2nd Brigade of Maucune's Division of the the right wing of the Army of the South. Montfort was rewarded in August of 1813, being named a Baron of the Empire.

For the defense of France, Montfort served in Leval's division. He took part in the combat on the Nive in December of 1813 and then was sent with the division to Champagne in January. In February of 1814 he served at Dolancourt and then next month he served at Cormeron and Arcis-sur-Aube. Montfort was named a Commander of the Legion of Honor shortly before Napoleon's abdication. Under the restored Bourbons he was put on non-activity but also named a Knight of Saint Louis.

When Napoleon returned from exile in 1815 for the Hundred Days, he placed Montfort in charge of the département of the Meurthe. That April Montfort became chief of staff to the Corps of Observation of Jura under his old commander General Lecourbe. Montfort served in the defense of Belfort in July and he distinguished himself at the combat of Offemont. Afterwards, he continued his military career for a number of years.

Bibliography

Six, Georges. Dictionnaire Biographique des Généraux & Amiraux Français de la Révolution et de l'Empire (1792-1814). 2 vols. Paris: Gaston Saffroy, 2003.

Related Pages:

Montfort's commander Lecourbe

Updated May 2016