Louis Marie Turreau

Louis Marie Turreau , known as Turreau de Garambouville or Turreau de Linières is a general French of the Révolution, born the July 4th 1756 with Évreux and died in Conches the December 10th 1816. It is famous to have organized the infernal columns during the Guerre of the Vendée, which massacred tens of thousands of Vendean and devastated the country. It continued then a career of senior official, while becoming Ambassadeur with the the United States, then baron d' Empire.

Life until the Revolution

The father of Louis-Marie Turreau was tax prosecutor of National Forestry Commission of the county of Évreux, then became thereafter mayor of Évreux. This situation makes enjoy Turreau certain privileges, even if they are not noble. Louis Marie Turreau is however an enthusiastic revolutionist since 1789. He benefits from it besides, like many the middle-class men of the time: he is made elect mayor of Aviron, buys some goods of the clergy (of which the Abbaye of Conches).

Military career until 1794

Before the Revolution, it does not have a real military activity: it enters well to the Bodyguards of the count d' Artois, but is registered only on the supernumerary roles (he is only substitute).

To the Revolution, it enters the National guard of Conches, and takes the direction in July 1792 of it. In September, it is made elect captain of a company of volunteers of the the Eure, and leaves to fight on the borders of North. It is named Colonel in November, and integrates the Armée with the Moselle.

In June 1793, it integrates the Armée with the coasts of the La Rochelle, until October 8th. It does not like this assignment, it writes besides with a friend: I will leave no stone unturned not to go in Poitou. This species of war displeases to me. It fights nevertheless two months in the Vendée. It is then named with the head of the Armée with the Eastern Pyrenees until November 27th, before being again named in the west, commander-in-chief of the Armée with the West. It arrives at its new assignment without enthusiasm on December 29th, whereas the last elements of the catholic and royal Armée are crushed by Kléber and Marceau with Savenay the 23.

Infernal columns

See the detailed article: infernal Columns

Continuation of the career of Turreau

Turreau is named on May 20th governor of the place of Belle-Île, then is stopped on September 28th. It spends a whole year in prison, and benefits from it to write its Mémoires to be used for the history of the Vendée . He refuses the amnesty of the 4 brumaire year IV (October 26th, 1795) which closes work of Convention, in order to be rehabilitated unambiguous. December 19th, 1795, he is discharged by a military tribunal which judges that he did nothing but carry out the orders.

Under the Consulate, it is sent in Suisse. From 1803 to 1811, he is ambassador in the United States, then commander of several places soldier S.

In 1814, it subjects to Louis XVIII. During the Hundred Days, it publishes the Mémoire against the transitory return of the men to privileges . The Restauration continued it, neither for this Libelle, nor for the infernal columns.

It is on the list of the recipients of the cross of Saint-Louis, but dies before it is given to him during a ceremony.

Distinctions

Baron of Linières (1812)
Chevalier of Saint-Louis (1814)
It belongs to the 660 personalities to have its name engraved under the Triumphal arch of the Star. It appears on the 15th column (the Arc indicates TURREAU ).

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