Jean Hugues Gambin

Jean Hugues Gambin , was born the May 15th 1764 with Paris (the Seine), military French.

Soldier the July 25th 1785 in the Regiment of Angouleme (34e of infantry), corporal the March 19th 1786, sergeant the October 7th 1787, and quartermaster-sergeant the November 11th 1791, it passed with his rank, the December 22nd according to, in the constitutional Garde of the King, remained there until the May 30th 1792, and the September 11th according to it entered as quartermaster-sergeant the 1st battalion of Gravilliers, where it was named captain executive officer, the 15 of the same month.

It made the campaigns of 1792 at year IX with the armies of the the Ardennes, the Northern , the the Alps, Italy and the Grisons, and gave evidence of courage and devotion, on February 1st 1792, at the time of the fire which burst in the artillery park of Leuwen.

Major on April 1st 1793, it was used with the Siège as Valencians, where, the enemy had seized in the night the 25 with the July 26th the covered way and some outer works which covered the body of the place.

Several pomegranate companies, ordered to drive out the enemy of the stations which it occupied between the door of Cardon and that of Mars, intimidated by the size of the danger, remain one moment undecided.

The major Gambin, fulfilling the functions of temporary commander, seizes the rifle of a pomegranate and says to them: “ Eh what! pomegranates! you fear these people-there. Follow me! ” At the same time it springs in the cuttings off, and animated by its example, the pomegranates imitate its intrepidity, and the works are carried in one moment; but the commander is reached of a shot which crosses the right thigh and the met out of combat to him.

Amalgamated in the 80e half-brigade, the 10 brumaire year VI, it was pointed out in year VII with the businesses of the Poste of the Barricades and Fossano. After having held garrison with Wissembourg, during year X, it was useful in year XI in Helvétie, and passed by incorporation in the 34e regiment of infantry of line the 1st brumaire year XII.

Major of the 53e of line 30 frimaire, and member of the Legion of honor 4 germinal of the same year, it made the campaigns of year XIV and 1806 with the 5th division of infantry of the Armée with Italy.

Promoted colonel following the 53e of line the December 24th 1807, and placed on May 1st 1808 as titular colonel with the head of the 84e in the same way arms, it made in this quality the Campagne of 1809 in Italy and Germany, and it is under its orders which the body which it ordered added to its illustration by one of the brightest feats of arms of this time.

Two battalions of the 84e, forts to more than 1.100 combatants, had been left in the town of Gratz; the June 26th, the Austrian general Giulay was presented in front of this place with a body from 10 to 12.000 men.

Colonel Gambin placed his two battalions in one of the suburbs of the city, pushed back all the attacks of the enemy, collapsed it everywhere, took 500 men, 2 flags to him, and maintained himself in his position for 14 hours.

It is on the field of Bataille of Wagram that it presented to the Emperor the flags taken with Gratz: “ Colonel, tells him Napoleon, I am content with the bravery of even regiment and of yours, you will make engrave on your eagles: AGAINST TEN ”.

The 84e regiment accepted moreover 96 decorations of the Légion of honor and an imperial decree of August 15th conferred to the colonel the title of count, with an equipment of 10.000 francs revenue.

Brigadier general commander of weapons the March 5th 1811, and employed in this quality with Rome the June 19th according to, it exerted these functions until the March 16th 1813, time to which it obtained his retirement.

The April 25th 1821 it accepted the Croix of Saint-Louis, and the August 19th 1823 that of Officer of the Legion of Honor.

He died the May 18th 1835 with Toulon (Var).

Source

Random links: