Pierre Berthezène

Pierre Berthezène , born the March 24th 1775, with Vendargues (Herault) - died the October 9th 1847, with Vendargues, military French.

The French revolution forced it to leave like soldier to the 5th battalion Herault, to defend the territory threatened by the Spanish S. At the end of one year, it was already second lieutenant when its body passed to division Garnier of the Armée with Italy.

Already famous by its courage, Berthezène had the badge honor to be appointed captain on the field of Bataille of Saint-Julien. Following the combat of Sette-Pani, from Pouzzole on the Mincio, it became major to the 72e regiment of line. Included/understood in 1804 in the great promotion of the Legion of honor, to the Camp of Boulogne, it entered as major to the 65e of line and obtained three years later the rank of colonel of 10th of light infantry.

The Emperor, after the Battle of Heilsberg, did it Officer of the Legion of Honor and created it Baron of the Empire, with an equipment in Westphalia. Hardly given of the serious wounds which it had received with Eckmûhl, then with Wagram, it took, in the capacity as adjudant-general, the command of the pomegranates of the imperial guard, which were to make the Campagne of Russia, and rendered to the army the most useful services.

It was named Brigadier general in reward of its beautiful control with Wagram (1809), took a great part with the victories of Lutzen and Bautzen (1813) after which it became Major general the August 4th 1813, it was forced to capitulate with Dresden by the lack of vivres and ammunition; but united, violating the capitulation, sent the captive French in Bohemia and Hungary.

In 1814, Berthezène, sunken in France, was put of availability. However the marshal Soult called it with the Comité of the war, and Louis XVIII decorated it with the Croix of Saint-Louis; but after the unloading of Napoleon i, he assisted it during the Hundred Days, sticking thus again to the fortune of his former sovereign and fought valiantly with Fleurus, with Wavre, Bierges, Namur and under the walls of Paris. With the return of the Bourbon S, it had to take refuge in Belgium.

The marshal Gouvion-Saint-Cyr made it return in grace, it was recalled at the end of few years. It was seen successively member of the committee of infantry and general inspector. At the time of the Forwarding of Algiers, it ordered Ve division of infantry and contributed much to the success of the French Armies to the battles of Staouéli (1830) and of Bouzareah.

Its beautiful control decided the Maréchal of Bourmont, then the general Clauzel, to require for him the Pairie, which to him was granted two years afterwards. Appointed large officer of the Legion of honor, it replaced in February 1831, the general Bertrand Clauzel in the command of the Algérie like general governor of Algeria. The army expeditionary being then reduced to 9.300 men, with these scanty means, the Berthezène general undertook the Expédition of Médéah. Raised by the intrigue and encouraged by the weakening of the French forces, the tribes of the plain revolted and attacked French with the Gué of Arrach and model farm.

Distinctions

It belongs to the 558 officers to have his name engraved under the Triumphal arch of the Star.

It left military Souvenirs , published by his son, Paris, 1855.

Source

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