Francois Macquard
Encyclopedia
François Macquard or François Macquart (1738–1801) joined the French royal army as an infantryman, fought in the Seven Years War, and rose slowly from the ranks to become an officer in the 1780s. While serving in Italy during the French Revolutionary Wars
, he became a general officer. In the Italian campaign of 1796, he fought in several actions under the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte.
on 1 August 1759, he later entered the cavalry in a dragoon
regiment. In 1785 he received his officer's commission. During the French Revolutionary Wars
he served in Army of Italy
beginning in 1792 and gained rapid promotion. In 1794 he became a general of brigade and in 1795 he rose to general of division after winning an action at Saorge (Saorgio)
.
together with Pierre Garnier's division. His command included the brigades of Jean David and Claude Dallemagne
. During the Montenotte Campaign
which ended with the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont suing for peace, Macquard's division was not engaged. After this event, Bonaparte brought Dallemagne's brigade to the front. Macquard's division is listed in the orders of battle for the July 1796 Siege of Mantua
. He led a 2,700-strong infantry reserve during the third Austrian relief of Mantua. His reserve was present at the Second Battle of Bassano
on 6 November. During the Battle of Arcola his 3,000-man force held Verona and neutralized Austrian General Jozsef Alvinczi's advance guard.
Macquard retired from the army in 1797 and died in 1801. On 14 August 1796, Bonaparte tersely summed up his qualities, "Brave man, no talent, lively."
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
, he became a general officer. In the Italian campaign of 1796, he fought in several actions under the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Early career
Macquard joined the French royal army in 1755 as a foot soldier. Wounded four times at the Battle of MindenBattle of Minden
The Battle of Minden—or Thonhausen—was fought on 1 August 1759, during the Seven Years' War. An army fielded by the Anglo-German alliance commanded by Field Marshal Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, defeated a French army commanded by Marshal of France Louis, Marquis de Contades...
on 1 August 1759, he later entered the cavalry in a dragoon
Dragoon
The word dragoon originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional light cavalry units and personnel...
regiment. In 1785 he received his officer's commission. During the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
he served in Army of Italy
Army of Italy (France)
The Army of Italy was a Field army of the French Army stationed on the Italian border and used for operations in Italy itself. Though it existed in some form in the 16th century through to the present, it is best known for its role during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic...
beginning in 1792 and gained rapid promotion. In 1794 he became a general of brigade and in 1795 he rose to general of division after winning an action at Saorge (Saorgio)
Saorge
Saorge is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. Highway E74 which runs north from Menton, passes through Saorge on its way to the Col de Tende where it crosses into Italy....
.
Under Bonaparte
When Bonaparte took over command of the army, Macquard led a small 3,700-man division that guarded the Col de TendeCol de Tende
Col de Tende is a high mountain pass in the Alps, on the border of France and Italy.It separates the Maritime Alps from the Ligurian Alps. It connects Nice and Tende in Alpes-Maritimes with Cuneo in Piedmont....
together with Pierre Garnier's division. His command included the brigades of Jean David and Claude Dallemagne
Claude Dallemagne
Claude Dallemagne started his career in the French army under the Bourbons, fought in the American Revolutionary War, rose in rank to become a general officer during the French Revolutionary Wars, took part in the 1796 Italian campaign under Napoleon Bonaparte, and held military posts during the...
. During the Montenotte Campaign
Montenotte Campaign
The Montenotte Campaign began on 10 April 1796 with an action at Voltri and ended with the Armistice of Cherasco on 28 April. In his first army command, Napoleon Bonaparte's French army separated the army of the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont under Michelangelo Alessandro Colli-Marchi from the allied...
which ended with the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont suing for peace, Macquard's division was not engaged. After this event, Bonaparte brought Dallemagne's brigade to the front. Macquard's division is listed in the orders of battle for the July 1796 Siege of Mantua
Siege of Mantua (1796-1797)
In the Siege of Mantua, which lasted from 4 July 1796 to 2 February 1797 with a short break, French forces under the overall command of Napoleon Bonaparte besieged and blockaded a large Austrian garrison for many months until it surrendered...
. He led a 2,700-strong infantry reserve during the third Austrian relief of Mantua. His reserve was present at the Second Battle of Bassano
Second Battle of Bassano
In the Second Battle of Bassano on 6 November 1796, an Austrian army commanded by Jozsef Alvinczi repelled the attacks of Napoleon Bonaparte's French army. The engagement, which happened two months after the more famous Battle of Bassano, marked the first tactical defeat of Bonaparte's career and...
on 6 November. During the Battle of Arcola his 3,000-man force held Verona and neutralized Austrian General Jozsef Alvinczi's advance guard.
Macquard retired from the army in 1797 and died in 1801. On 14 August 1796, Bonaparte tersely summed up his qualities, "Brave man, no talent, lively."
Printed materials
- Boycott-Brown, Martin. The Road to Rivoli. London: Cassell & Co., 2001. ISBN 0-304-35305-1
- Chandler, DavidDavid G. ChandlerDavid G. Chandler was a British historian whose study focused on the Napoleonic era.As a young man he served briefly in the army, reaching the rank of captain, and in later life he taught at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Oxford University awarded him the D. Litt. in 1991...
. The Campaigns of Napoleon. New York: Macmillan, 1966. - Chandler, David. Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars. New York: Macmillan, 1979. ISBN 0-02-523670-9
- Smith, DigbyDigby SmithDigby Smith is a British military historian. The son of a British career soldier, he was born in Hampshire, England, but spent several years in India and Pakistan as a child and youth. As a "boy soldier," he entered training in the British Army at the age of 16...
. The Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill, 1998. ISBN 1-85367-276-9