Jean Marie Pierre Dorsenne

Jean Marie Pierre Lepaige, count Dorsenne , born in 1773 with Ardres (Pas-de-Calais) was a French soldier.

Biography

He left like volunteer in 1792, and was elected captain by his comrades the September 13rd according to.

He made with distinction the campaigns of 1792, 1793, years II, III, IV and V, and was named major on the battle field the 3 germinal year V. He made in this quality the campaigns of years VI, VII in Egypt, was wounded with the Combat of Kelé and was named in year VIII colonel of the 61e half-brigade.

It still remained in Egypt during years VIII, IX and X, and returned on the continent to make there the campaigns of years XII and XIII. It was announced to the Bataille of Austerlitz and was named Brigadier general the 4 nivôse year XIV.

It contributed to the profit of the Bataille of Eylau while precipitating on the enemy, with the head of a battalion of the guard. Named in 1808 colonel of pomegranates of the guard, it passed in Spain with its regiment, was then with the large army and was pointed out to Ratisbon during the Campagne of 1809. With Essling, it supported with the guard which it ordered, all the efforts of the enemy, imposed to him by his capacity and protected the re-entry from the French troops in the island of Lobau. In this day, the Dorsenne general had two horses killed under him; one of them, while falling, reversed it and with the head a contusion made him test which, in the continuation, was to remove with the army one of its more intrepid soldiers.

It was still announced to the Bataille of Wagram, and was named Major general the June 5th 1809. Returned to Paris after the Peace of Vienna, it was sent in Spain with 20.000 men of the imperial guard. It succeeded the July 8th 1811 the marshal Bessières, in the difficult post of commander-in-chief of the Armée with North. In Spain, in next August, it beat and dispersed the Armée with Galicia and forced the English army to evacuate the positions which it occupied; he traversed then the Navarre and the Biscay and restores everywhere the order and peace.

Since the Battle of Essling, the Dorsenne general felt violent pains of head; but overcoming its sufferings, it continued to direct the operations. Thus, one saw it being made carry in litter to order in person the Siège of Astorg.

It was its last exploit: its health being increasingly faded, it was constrained to return to Paris, where it succumbed the July 24th 1812, following the Opération of the trepan. It was hardly 39 years old.

It is buried with the the Pantheon of Paris, and its name is reproduced on the Western part of the Triumphal arch of the Star.

Source

Random links: