Antoine Drouot

See also: Drouot

Count Antoine Drouot (born the January 11th 1774 with Nancy - and dead the March 24th 1847 in the same city), French artillery general

It was wire of a baker. It finished its studies with the college of Nancy in 1792, entered on June 1st 1793 to the École of artillery of Metz in the capacity as pupil second lieutenant, and a month after was named second lieutenant with the 1st artillery regiment; it made all the campaigns of the French revolution in this weapon, in particular that of Egypt, and arrived at the rank of colonel-major in artillery to foot of the imperial guard, rank which it occupied in 1809.

Named in 1808 major of artillery of the imperial guard, it was named Brigadier general and assistance-of-camp of the Emperor, the January 26th 1813. It attended the great battles of the Empire, and contributed strongly to various battles, especially to Wagram, the Moskowa, Lützen, where it ordered famous light artillery of the guard, with Bautzen. It was made after this last business Major general

It beat the enemy with Wachau the day before the Bataille of Leipzig (October 16th 1813), saved the remains of the army in front of Hanau by clearing to him a passage (October 30th), defended the French territory in step by step 1814, made wonders with Nangis, where it crosses the procession of Vauclor under the fire of 60 pieces of artillery.

It followed to the isle of Elba Napoleon i, which appointed it governor of the island, accompanied it on his return in France in 1815, although it disapproved the company.

It made with the Bataille of Waterloo incredible efforts, was withdrawn after the disaster beyond the the Loire with the head of the imperial guard, could contain this troop that one still feared and helped to lay off it.

He does not live himself any less not proscribed by Louis XVIII, and translated in front of a Conseil of war, but he was discharged. He was included/understood then in the ordinance of the July 24th 1815 and was discharged

Drouot refused any service and any treatment, and it returned in the private life. Withdrawn in its birthplace, he constantly refused to accept any public office. Its refusal was dictated by fear to be seen recalled to the activity and to be, in prosperity, in the honors, when Napoleon groaned on a rock of the Atlantic. In 1824 it accepted a retirement pension which was offered to him by the government in reward of its services.

The November 19th 1831, it was created Pair France in the batch of thirty-six pars for life intended to allow the adoption the Upper House of the bill abolishing the Hérédité of peerage. In 1833, the duke of Orleans (Louis-Philippe Ier) had offered to him the place of governor of the princes its sons. Drouot had believed to have to refuse.

It had started to write the memories of its time, but the infirmities, a Cécité supplements, stopped its work. This general died in Nancy, the March 24th 1847. He is buried with the Cimetière of Préville in Nancy.

He had been named legionary the August 5th 1804, officer of the Legion with Wagram, commander in Moskowa, large officer the March 23rd 1814; Grand Cross the October 18th 1830; Baron of the Empire the March 14th 1810; Count of the Empire the October 24th 1813; Even of France by imperial decree the June 2nd 1815.

It was Major general since the September 3rd 1813.

Of a great piety, Drouot practiced, even in the middle of the camps, the duties of the religion.

Jules Nollet gave his Biographie (1850). The Father Henri Lacordaire pronounced his funeral Éloge . Nancy raised a statue to him; with Paris a street, that of the Barn-Batelière, and a subway station received its name.

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