The Eye of the Cyclone at the Fall of the XVIII^th Century:  The Ill-Fated Helvetic Republic (1798-1803)

By Dr. Gabriel Vital-Durand

Some Prominent Military Figures of the Time

General Piotr Ivanovitch, Prince Bagration (1765-1812): He was the scion of an illustrious Geogian family. Along with General Suvorov, he had served during the violent revolt in Poland (1794). During the glorious Campaign of Italy in 1799, he conquered the fortress of Brescia (10 April), had the high hand against Sérurier and Moreau later that month and played a decisive role during the battle of La Trebbia (17-19 June) when opposed to Macdonald’s forces. Following the disgrace of Suvorov, he served under Field-Marshal Kutusov during engagements in Austria (1805) and Russia (1812). He died shortly after the fall of Moscow in 1812.

Marshal Louis Alexandre Berthier, Prince of Neuchâtel (1753-1815): He had his first military exposure during the American Independence War. During the early days of the Revolution, he was a major in the National Guard and did his best to protect the royal family. Berthier then served in Rhineland under Kellemann and in Italy under Bonaparte (1796-97). Running to the rescue of General Duphot who had been assassinated in Rome in late 1797, he was instrumental in establishing the Roman Republic on 15 February 1798. Having then taken part in the Expedition of Egypt, he would not be forgotten by Napoléon who had him elevated to chief-of-staff, field-marshal, prince of Neuchâtel, and finally prince of Wagram. During the First Restoration, he supported the king and was named Peer of France. His sudden death in Bavaria in 1815 has raised eyebrows.

Marshal Brune

Marshal Guillaume Marie Anne Brune (1763-1815): Although he was the son of a lawyer, young Brune willingly joined the National Guard, and then the Army of the North under General Dumouriez (1792). During the war in Italy (1796), he was promoted to general by Masséna. The war cabinet had him conduct the invasion of the Swiss Confederation in early 1798, during which he was suspected of diverting part of the Berne treasury (about 30 million Francs in all). During the war in Holland the following year, he conducted a masterly campaign against the Anglo-Russian expeditionary corps. Although Napoleon thought highly of him, he had little confidence in his loyalty and had him relieved of active office during most of the Empire. In 1814 however, Field-Marshal Brune fought in Piedmont and was recognised by a rioting party while in Avignon, which resulted in his being lynched by the crowd.

Admiral Francesco Caracciolo, Duke of Brienza (1752-1799): Born into an illustrious Neapolitan family, Francesco embraced a naval career and served as a junior officer in the Royal Navy during the American Independence War. Since the Kingdom of Naples had joined in the 1^st Coalition against the French Republic, Rear-Admiral Caracciolo took part in the siege of Toulon by a French army where Captain Bonaparte was to play a deciding role. He was still instrumental in capturing two French ships of the line in 1795, Cayra and Censeur. During the operations of the 2^nd Coalition, a French army under General Championnet conquered Naples and established the Parthenopean Republic (January 1799) while King Ferdinando IV had fled to Sicily with the assistance of Admiral Nelson. Francesco felt unattended to and sailed back to Naples where he took office with the Republican Navy. Halas, a few months later, the French had to retreat and Caracciolo was tried and convicted for treason. Upon the personal insistence of his long-standing fellow admiral, Nelson, the court-martial had Admiral Caracciolo hung from the main yard of his own ship, Minerva.

General Carnot

General Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot (1753-1823): Young Carnot was of higher bourgeois descent. He became enthused with the Revolutionary cause, and left a formal military career for a more political role, in effect masterminding all French military campaigns of the time. He thus received the well-deserved nickname “organiser of the victory”  following brilliant military sucesses in Belgium and Rhineland (1793-95). After Bonaparte had instated the Consulate and was leaning towards dictatorship, General Carnot left office for a while. Towards the end of the era however, he was appointed commander of the fortress of Antwerp, then minister during the Hundred Days. He was also a respected scholar in mathematics.

General Jean Etienne Championnet (1762-1800): He was put in charge of Army of Rome in 1798 and actually ordered to march against the Kingdom of Naples, whose King Ferdinando IV had foolishly got involved in the 2^nd Coalition. The French army had the upper arm at the battle of Civita Castellana against General Mack leading the Neapolitans, and General Championnet was to instate the Parthenopean Republic in January 1799. A few months later, the French had suffered serious setbacks in northern Italy and the army was called to retreat, which resulted in the restoration of the monarchy and a series of disgraceful punishments for the Republicans. Championnet suffered a severe blow at Genola from the Austrian corps led by Field-Marshal Melas. He died in Nizza soon afterwards.

General Mathurin Léonard Duphot (1769-1797): Having been involved in the 1^st Campaign of Italy (1796‑97), he was appointed to accompany the embassy led by Joseph Bonaparte to the Holy See in Rome (1797). The eruption of violent protests by the populace and rebellious soldiers resulted in the lynching of General Duphot and his fellow Bassville (27 December, 1797), which was to precipitate a protracted argument between France and the Papacy, as well as prolonged military involvement of the former in southern Italy on the part of the former.

General Karl Ludwig von Erlach (1746-1798): The scion of a Bernese patrician family, he joined the Swiss Guard in Paris in 1774. His ancestor Jean Louis d,Erlach had been Field-Marshal of King Louis XIV of France. In the context of the French invasion, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Confederate army early 1798, while denied adequate resources. In the aftermath of the defeat of Grauholz on 5^th March 1798, he was mistakenly murdered by the mob at Wichtrach.

Marshal Saint-Cyr

Field-Marshal Karl von Habsburg, Archduke of Austria (1771-1847): He was the third son of Leopold II of Austria, and as such designated to rule the Austrian Low Countries (Belgium and Luxembourg). Archduke Charles actually demonstrated outstanding military capabilities when opposed to such figures as Moreau, Jourdan in Germany (1796), Masséna in Italy (1797) and Napoléon in Austria (1809). The protracted engagement at Essling proved extremely costly to both sides during the latter campaign. The marriage of Archduchess Marie-Louise to Napoléon in 1810 was to turn him into a nephew of the French emperor.

View of XVIIIth Century Geneva

General Franz Jellachich, Baron von Buzim (1746‑1810): Of Croatian descent, Franz Jellachich entered into service in 1763, fought against the Turks in 1789 and was made colonel in 1794. He fought under Archduke Charles in Rhineland in 1796 and the following years, being then opposed to Generals Moreau and Masséna. During the 1805 campaign, he was to cover Vorarlberg while Napoléon triumphed at Ulm. He was involved once more in the 1808 campaign.

General Barthélémy Catherine Joubert (1769-1799): He volunteered at the time of the levée en masse (1791). Making rapid progress through the ranks, he was appointed general during the Campaign of Italy in 1795. He was commander-in-chief in Holland (1797) and Rhineland (1798) prior to taking over from Brune in Italy (latter part of 1798). During the disastrous Campaign of Italy in 1799, he was taken by surprise and killed at Novi while opposing Field-Marshal Suvarov. French Director Sieyès, a member of cabinet, had plans for him to take pre-eminence on the political scene, although Bonaparte eventually proved to be a more-than-willing replacement (on 18^th Brumaire, Year VIII / 1799).

General Paul Kray, Baron von Krajowa (1735-1804): This fine tactician was of Hungarian descent. He had entered the career during the Seven-Year-War. In 1788, he was to crush the Walachian uprising in Transylvania, and then was involved against the Turks in 1790. During the 1799 Campaign in Italy, he took over from Field-Marshal Melas who was unfit. He triumphed over General Schérer at Magnano and subsequently re-conquered Mantua. The following year, he took over from Archduke Charles and was overpowered by General Moreau in southern Germany. He subsequently resigned his command.

General Claude Jacques, Count Lecourbe (1758-1815): He had joined the Army of the Rhine in 1792 prior to pursuing a brilliant career in the Low Countries and Rhineland. Subsequently he was attached to Army of Helvetia and was appointed general in 1799. Under General Masséna, he was to hold positions in the Saint Gothard Pass against attemps by Field-Marshal Suvorov. The French proved uncapable of resisting the decisive move of Russian troops, even though they managed to inflict serious damage. He then served under General Moreau at Army of the Rhine in 1800, until Napoléon sacked him together with General Moreau in 1804.

Marshal Etienne Jacques Joseph Alexandre Macdonald, Duke of Tarente (1765-1840): He was of Scottish descent and first served in the Irish Legion of the French Army, then at the Maillebois Regiment in 1785. During the Revolutionary Wars, he distinguished himself at Army of the North and Army of Sambre et Meuse (1796). In 1798, he took over from General Gouvion St-Cyr as commander of Army of Rome, prior to moving to Army of Naples (early 1799). During the difficult campaign against the Austro-Russian army, he was successful at Modena but beated at Trebbia and was then releaved from office in Italy. He then served under General Moreau in Germany during 1800 and managed to cross Splügen Pass during that winter to reach Trento in the Valtelina. He was instrumental during the difficult battle of Wagram (6 July 1809) and was elevated to marshal and duke on the battlefield, even though Napoléon had reservations about him.

Marshal André Masséna, Duke of Rivoli, Prince of Essling (1758-1817): A son of the ancient Principalty of Monaco, André Masséna had reached the grade of general during the 1st Campaign of Italy at the time when much younger General Bonaparte was appointed above him in April, 1996. He was put in charge of Army of Helvetia, the Danube and the Rhine at the end of 1798. Although he had been taken by surprise by the Austro-Russian offensive late 1799, he actually managed to reverse the course of events to the benefit of France. Taking over from General Championnet in Northern Italy, he sustained the siege of Genoa by the Austrians until the rescue army of Prime Consul Bonaparte arrived to claim victory at Marengo (18th June, 1800). He then served as marshal in Italy, Austria, Portugal ,and Spain. Napoleon had granted him the nickname “beloved child of Victory” at Rivoli (14  January 1797).

Field-Marshal Michel Frédéric Benoît, Baron of Melas (1729-1806): This talented officer had joined the army at the tender age of 17 and taken part in the Seven-Year-War under Field-Marshal Daun. Having made his way through the ranks he was placed at the head of Army of the Alps in 1799, although he had then reached 70! Field-Marshal Suvorov – also aged 70 – soon demonstrated outstanding capabilities under his (nominal) command. Melas was successful against the French at Cassovo and Novi (summer of 1799). Once Suvorov had been called to Switzerland, he had free reins to finish with the French. General Masséna had taken command of the fortress of Genoa, whose siege was made long and difficult until the spring of 1800. On 14 June, the army of First-Consul Bonaparte suddenly appeared onto the scene. Melas marched on and defeated the French while they were still divided. He then left the battlefield, only to have General Desaix come to rescue and actually reverse the fortune of battle at Marengo later that day. Melas then retired from active service.

General Jean Victor Moreau (1763-1813): He had volunteered in 1791 and made his way at Army of the North under General Dumouriez, having been elevated to lieutenant-colonel in Belgium (1793). Succeeding General Pichegru at Army of the Rhine in 1795, he captured Munich in 1796, prior to conducting a remarkable retreat to Rhineland. In 1799, Field-Marshal Suvorov made his life difficult in Northern Italy. At the same time, Sieyès had plans for him to rule in Paris. In the following year, General Moreau led a brilliant campaign in southern Germany against Archduke John. Bonaparte had him banished in the aftermath of the Cadoudal conjuration (1804). Moreau died on the battlefield at Dresden while under Russian service.

Marshal Gabriel Jean Joseph, Count Molitor (1770-1849): Having joined the Moselle Batallion in 1791, he fought in Army of Sambre et Meuse as well as Army of the Rhine under Generals Custine, Jourdan and Hoche. He had been elevated to brigadier in Army of Helvetia in 1799. His corps had been well entrenched in Klön Pass towards the end of September, 1799 facing Suvorov coming East from the Schöllenen Pass. This forced the Russians to retreat South to the Grisons. Molitor then continued his career during the Empire and the Restoration when he became Marshal.

Admiral Horatio Nelson, Baron of the Nile, Duke of Brontë (1758-1805): The young Horatio started at the age of 12 years on HMS Raisonnable, and by age 20 was commanding HMS Hinchinbrooke, a frigate. He went on demonstrating outstanding seaman’s capabilities on various occasions, loosing his right eye at Calvi in 1794, and an arm at Cape Saint Vincent while fighting the Spaniards in 1797. On 1 August 1798, his squadron took the French Navy by surprise near Alexandria and destroyed most of it, thereby barring Bonaparte from retreating from Egypt. Having contributed to the withdrawal of the French in Naples in June 1799, he was made rear-admiral and duke. Having destroyed the Danish Navy in Copenhagen, he blockaded Admiral Villeneuve in Toulon during 1803-1805. Once the French Navy had finally escaped, Admiral Nelson led the brilliant battle of Trafalgar against joined Spanish-French forces (21 October 1805). He was to die in action on that day.

General Rimsky-Korsakov: He commanded Russian forces under Archduke Charles at Zurich (September, 1799)

Field-Marshal Alexander Vassilievitch Suvorov, Prince of Italy (1729-1800): He had started his career at Semionovsky Regiment of the Imperial Guard, prior to serving Tsarina Elizabeth I, Tsar Peter III, Tsarina Catherine II, and Tsar Paul I in succession. Such endeavours had him fighting against Prussia, the Ottomans, rebellious Cossacks led by Pugachev, the Poles as well as various Caucasian nations. He proved reckless while suppressing the Warsaw uprising in 1794. In contrast to Tsarina Catherine having shown particular benevolence to him, her son Paul I disliked Suvorov. However, Emperor Francis II of Austria had such high regard for him that General Suvorov was appointed head of the Russian expeditionary force in Northern Italy in 1799. There this man aged 70 proved invincible against an array of French generals, each of whom he beat. Made Field-Marshal and Prince of Italy, he was ordered north for obscure reasons and finally led to a desperate pursuit across five passes of the Alps in succession, with minimal support and equipment. Amazingly, Suvorov has since been held in the highest regard in consideration of this particular episode. He died soon after he had been back to Russia.

Field-Marshal Frederick Augustus, Duke of York (1763-1827): He was second in succession to his father King George III of England. Having taken command of the expeditionary force landed in Northern Holland in 1795, he conducted a campaign against French Army of Holland led by Generals Dumouriez and Jourdan. He was appointed Field-Marshal and again landed in Holland to receive support from Russian forces in 1798. Severely beaten by General Brune in 1799, he had to withdraw and reembark, only to face severe criticism, including dishonesty back in his country. He resigned his position in 1809, but  was exonerated in 1811.

Placed on the Napoleon Series: January 2004

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