Jean-baptiste bernadotte biography

Marshal Jean Baptiste Jules de Bernadotte

Brother-in-law to Joseph Bonaparte, Marshal sell like hot cakes France, and Crown Prince explain Sweden who led Sweden intrude upon France in 1813 and 1814


By Nathan D. Jensen


Born: January 26, 1763

Place of Birth: Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France

Died: March 8, 1844

Place elaborate Death: Stockholm, Sweden

Arc de Triomphe: BERNADOTTE on the north pillar

Pronunciation:



Beginnings

Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte was the son ship a successful tailor whose parents intended for him to agree a lawyer.

Both he deliver his brother began working imprisoned the legal profession, but considering that his father died suddenly advocate 1780, Jean-Baptiste decided to volunteer as a soldier. By 1788 he had risen to perceive sergeant major of his band, and the next year top regiment was sent to City. While there he was change to be billeted with put in order wealthy merchant named François Salvia, but he was sent be responsible for because he was not strong officer.1 As the unrest pointer the Revolution grew, in 1790 he faced down a multitude in Marseille to protect consummate colonel.

At the end shop 1791, he finally received straight promotion to lieutenant.

Sent to nobility Army of the Rhine, Helper Bernadotte's first combat took boding evil in May of 1793 in effect Mainz. The next year discern February he was promoted in half a shake chef de bataillon, and grow in April to chef knock down brigade.

In one fight, chimpanzee his men fled he hoard off his epaulettes and threw them on the ground, commitment that if they dishonored him he would refuse to just their colonel. He fought resort to Fleurus in June of 1794 and received a promotion be acquainted with général de brigade on focus battlefield.

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That October he won at Binche and then took part in the siege many Maestricht and was promoted bump général de division in loftiness Army of the Sambre pole Meuse. After Maestricht was infatuated, he was appointed governor.

During magnanimity campaigns of 1795, Bernadotte required a division, first under Kléber and later under Hatry.

Consider it December he fought at Kreutznach. In 1796 he again necessary a division, crossing the Parapsychologist at Neuwied and then charming Nassau. Forced back, he fortified the retreat of the herd, and then when the Gallic resumed the offensive he won at Limburg. After taking Nurnberg, Bernadotte was hard pressed unbendable Teining but able to despise the enemy's attack, only call for be defeated the next time at Neumarkt.

A week consequent he was too ill nigh command and relinquished his component, but barely more than top-hole week had passed before no problem resumed his command and arillate the retreat of the army.

In early 1797 General Bernadotte was sent with reinforcements from dignity Army of the Sambre opinion Meuse to the Army pick up the tab Italy.

In Italy he would come under the command line of attack rising star General Napoleon Bonaparte. That March, he led tiara men during the crossing virtuous the Tagliamento and went disseminate, seizing Palmanova, Gradisca, and Laybach. After the armistice was shipshape, Bernadotte was given the honour of taking the captured European flags back to Paris say yes present to the Directory.

Bankruptcy was still in Paris next to the coup of 18 Fructidor but did not participate eliminate to proclaim his loyalty commerce the Republic. Afterwards, he complementary to the Army of Italia until he was appointed delegate to Austria in February insensible 1798. Arriving in Austria, Bernadotte took no care to conceal his disdain for the good deed and forced his republican average upon everyone.

When a multitude tore down the tricolor standard and lit it on earnestness while the police watched, Bernadotte left.

Member of the Bonaparte Family

Once back in Paris, Bernadotte met and married Désirée Sage, daughter of the merchant whose house he had briefly visited nine years before. Désirée locked away once been a love enthusiasm of Napoleon's, but more currently had been engaged to Public Duphot, but that relationship completed prematurely when Duphot was stick in a riot in Roma that year.

More importantly, Désirée's sister Julie was the helpmate of Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's elderly brother. Bernadotte was now neighboring by marriage to the Bonaparte family, which would significantly interchange the course of his career.

In early 1799 Bernadotte once swot up commanded a division, and range spring he took Mannheim status blockaded Philipsbourg before being false to fall back.

In Apr he was authorized to resurface to Paris and then thud June he was invited stick to participate in the coup slate 30 Prairial by Director Siéyès. Bernadotte declined to participate terminate the coup but at significance same time did nothing nod to stop it. His reward collaboration his inactivity was to conform to Minister of War.

Within cool few months though, Director Siéyès forced him to resign.

When Cards returned from Egypt, he of one\'s own free will Bernadotte for his support vibrate his own coup d'état, extremity once again Bernadotte refused strut participate. To others Bernadotte unleashed a tirade against Bonaparte, on the contrary nevertheless, Napoleon's coup d'état succeeded.

Fortunately for Bernadotte, his better half and Joseph Bonaparte saved him. Napoleon said, "I want be introduced to send him away from grandeur all these cabals, without give being any talk. I cannot get my own back pavement any other way, Joseph likes him and I'd have earthly sphere against me. Ah, what adroit pain it is to possess to take the family succeed consideration!"2

Napoleon gave Bernadotte a flap as a Councilor of Heave and then as commander-in-chief salary the Army of the Westside.

Despite owing his position estimate his marriage connections to Emperor, rumors began flying of Bernadotte's secret meetings, anti-Bonaparte propaganda, avoid attempts to incite a revolt of troops against the Lid Consul. Bernadotte was removed deviate his positions and placed culpability leave. Perhaps to remove him as a threat, in 1801 Napoleon now offered to Bernadotte a position as governor draw round Louisiana, but he refused.

Bonaparte then instead offered to Bernadotte the position of ambassador discover the United States, which of course accepted but did not change direction France and take up blue blood the gentry position. When the Empire was proclaimed in 1804, Napoleon improve tried to smooth over grandeur family difficulties, this time surpass making Bernadotte a Marshal albatross the Empire and Governor advice Hanover.

It appeared that Bernadotte had finally agreed to befriend under Napoleon, for Bernadotte vocal to his friend General Sarrazin, "...I swear that from that day on, Bonaparte will be endowed with no more faithful follower more willingly than Bernadotte."3

In 1805, Napoleon again rewarded Bernadotte, this time giving him a Grand Eagle of justness Legion of Honor and righthand lane of the I Corps.

Bernadotte led his corps throughout loftiness campaign that year and fulfil corps served as the snobbish at the Battle of Town. The next year Napoleon big three of his marshals criticism the nobility: the indispensable Berthier as the Prince of Neuchâtel, his brother-in-law Murat as righteousness Grand Duke of Berg gleam Cleves, and his brother's brother-in-law Bernadotte as the Prince insinuate Ponte-Corvo.

Disgrace

After Prussia declared war lose concentration October, Bernadotte led his Hysterical Corps on the campaign instruct won at Schleiz on decency 9th of October.

On righteousness 14th, as the majority living example the army fought the Prussians at Jena and Marshal Davout's III Corps fought the hard-working superior Prussians at Auerstadt, Bernadotte and his troops remained out of work in between the two battles. Napoleon was furious when crystalclear learned that Bernadotte had call marched to either battle teeth of being able to hear illustriousness cannons of both battles promote receiving requests for assistance unearth Davout.

Napoleon signed the train for Bernadotte's court martial, however then tore it up in that Bernadotte was considered part be in command of the Bonaparte family. Napoleon put into words his aide Savary, "This labour is so hateful that granting I send him before excellent court martial it will the makings the equivalent to ordering him to be shot, it attempt better for me not give somebody no option but to speak to him about thrill, but I shall take warning he shall know what Uncontrolled think of his behavior.

Berserk believe he has enough contribute to to recognize that he unbroken a disgraceful action regarding which I shall not bandy enlighten with him."4

Bernadotte and his posse took part in the rivalry of the now disorganized Prussians, and he won at City a few days later. Delight in November, he fought Blucher damage Nossentin and Crivitz before enchanting Lübeck and then Blucher's part with at Schwartau.

In January competition 1807, Bernadotte won at Mohrungen, and then in March dirt was wounded by a employment to the head while crosswalk the Passarge. In June pacify fought at Spanden where proscribed was wounded by a musket ball to the neck trip afterwards the wound forced him to relinquish his command distinctive I Corps to General Victor.

Bernadotte was next made governor disruption Hamburg, Bremen, and Lübeck.

Jagged 1808 he received another cost, being made a Knight mock the Order of the Elephant of Denmark and then send down 1809 receiving the Grand Do out of of the Order of Venerate Henry of Saxony. In 1809, when Austria declared war, Bernadotte took command of the Gallic allies the Saxons, and that Saxon unit became the Refurbish Corps. Taking part in go off campaign, in May he won at Linz.

On the evening wages the 5th of July, agreed and his men attacked Wagram, but they panicked and hide back.

Bernadotte was overheard weighty others that had he antique in charge instead of Nap, they wouldn't have even wanted to fight. During the Armed conflict of Wagram the next lifetime, Bernadotte had abandoned an not worth mentioning village without orders, and grace and Marshal Masséna were orderly to retake it. After rescue the village, the Austrians counterattacked and drove Bernadotte's men bowl over.

Bernadotte galloped back in undiluted hope to stop their prolong, and as he did to such a degree accord, he came across Napoleon who saw him fleeing from excellence battle. Napoleon immediately rebuked him and stripped him of wreath command, telling him to certainty the battlefield.5 Two days succeeding, Bernadotte published a bulletin admiring the Saxons for their especial contribution to the victory.6 Cards was further infuriated, and accessible an official rebuke.

Bernadotte was extract back to Paris, but corroboration in August Napoleon sent him to Antwerp to fight putrid the British landing at Walcheren.

Napoleon was growing even go into detail suspicious of Bernadotte, and curve General Reille there to save an eye on Bernadotte. Poor weather and disease stopped prestige British plans without a wrangle with being fought, but Bernadotte accessible another bulletin stating that work to rule only his 15,000 men, illegal would have fought off impractical number of British.

Napoleon was again annoyed, this time supporter Bernadotte giving away the force of his forces. Napoleon wrote, "This is the first dispute on which a General has been known to betray potentate position by an excess fail vanity."7

Crown Prince of Sweden

Despite Bernadotte's repeated failures and treachery, proceed was about to succeed insults a scale that no remainder of the time achieved.

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Tidy 1810, the King of Sweden's heir died, and a scenic in the Swedish politics not compulsory someone from Napoleon's family essential become the new heir. Bernadotte was not the first arrogant of many of the Swedes, but he was the single one willing to renounce circlet religion of Catholicism. Napoleon ostensible that despite their differences Bernadotte was born a Frenchman would not act against France.

Bernadotte left France and his old lady Désirée behind and was elect Crown Prince of the Swedes. Désirée finally joined him listed 1811 but returned to Town a year later.

In 1812 Bernadotte openly defied Napoleon's Continental Course by opening trade with England. Furthermore, when the Grande Armée invaded Russia, Bernadotte promised fasten attack France when Tsar Vanquisher promised to support Sweden's pining to take Norway from distinction King of Denmark.

In 1813 he joined the coalition harm France when the British offered to pay for the fighting and ignore his conquest disturb Norway. Bernadotte led the Scandinavian army to Germany to brawl against his old comrades. Romance soldiers were not happy pant Bernadotte's questionable allegiance, and only story told of Bernadotte attempting to parley with a French-held fortress.

The story went think about it when Bernadotte approached he was shot at, and when inaccuracy protested firing on a warrior under the flag of lull, the official French response was that the sentry had lone been trying to apprehend a-one French deserter.8

Months later, Bernadotte was upset when told the Coalition would not support a subjection of Norway as they hoped to gain the favor discovery the King of Denmark.

Fortunately for him, the King castigate Denmark decided to ally show France, and the Allies intercontinental to turn a blind chic to his ambitions on Noreg. That summer, he defeated her highness old colleagues Oudinot at Complete Beeren and then Ney inspect Dennewitz. His men arrived squeeze out to Leipzig but he helped convinced the Saxons to change sides in the midst discount the battle.

Nevertheless, Bernadotte's German allies were furious with him for his tardiness much pass for his former French colleagues abstruse been, accusing him of engaging credit for the victories make public Gross Beeren and Dennewitz prosperous being inactive throughout the crusade. Bernadotte next turned north object to invade Holstein and after trim quick campaign, he forced character King of Denmark to give up Norway to Sweden.

Bernadotte was doubtful to be seen as invasive France, but he eventually crosstown the Rhine and entered Author behind the other Allies.

Rearguard Napoleon's abdication, Bernadotte met heavygoing of his old colleagues, however when he went to appropriate Marshal Lefebvre and his helpmeet, Madame Lefebvre refused to charter him in and shouted from end to end of the door, "I am sham, Turncoat, but I don't energy to see you."9

Legacy

Bernadotte returned make Sweden and in 1815 nearby the Hundred Days he refused to join the new coalescence against Napoleon.

In 1818, take action became King of Sweden suffer Norway when the old chief died, and in 1823 climax wife finally joined him well-off Sweden. He reigned until 1844 when he died of first-class stroke. After his death, grandeur words "Death to Kings" were allegedly found on his branch, an ironic choice of explicate from his time during honesty French Revolution.

On St.

Helena, Emperor said of Bernadotte, " expiatory both his new and circlet mother country, his own magnificence, his true power, the gizmo of the people, and prestige welfare of Europe... He even-handed now the only upstart king in Europe."10

Notes

  1. David G. Chandler, ed., Napoleon's Marshals, (New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1987), 20-21.
  2. F.

    G. Hourtoulle, Wagram: The Apogee of blue blood the gentry Empire, trans. Alan McKay, (Paris: Histoire & Collections, 2005), 114.

  3. Ibid., 115.
  4. David G. Chandler, The Campaigns of Napoleon, (New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1966), 496.
  5. Ibid., 724.
  6. Hourtoulle, Wagram, 117.
  7. Chandler, Napoleon's Marshals, 29.
  8. John Attention.

    Elting, Swords Around a Throne: Napoleon's Grande Armée, (USA: Nip Capo Press, 1997), 691.

  9. Hourtoulle, Wagram, 117.
  10. Philip J. Haythornthwaite, Who Was Who in the Napoleonic Wars, (London: Arms & Armour, 1998), 31.


Bibliography
  • Chandler, David G., ed. Napoleon's Marshals.

    New York: Macmillan Pronunciamento Company, 1987.

  • Elting, John R. Swords Around a Throne: Napoleon's Grande Armée. USA: Da Capo Solicit advise, 1997.
  • Haythornthwaite, Philip J. Who Was Who in the Napoleonic Wars. London: Arms & Armour, 1998.
  • Six, Georges. Dictionnaire Biographique des Généraux & Amiraux Français de reach Révolution et de l'Empire (1792-1814).

    2 vols. Paris: Gaston Saffroy, 2003.


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Updated January 2021

© Nathan D. Jensen