Géraud Duroc

Geraud Christophe Michel Duroc, duke of Friuli (actually Geraud Christophe Michel de, chevalier du Roc, born October 25, 1772 in Pont-à- Mousson, † May 23, 1813 fell in marker near Görlitz ) was a French general and diplomat, since 1804 Grand Maréchal du Palais (equivalent to a Marshal of the Court ). Duroc was Napoleon's aide and deputy and one of his closest confidants.

Life

Duroc was the son of an officer and came from an old aristocratic family. He was educated at military installations in his hometown and then attended the Artillery School in Châlons. At the outbreak of the Revolution he emigrated to Germany, but soon returned to France. It was in 1793 to lieutenant ( artillery, as Napoleon Bonaparte, on the 4th Regiment, appointed and rose to steady. 1796, he was a captain of Napoleon 's adjutant in the Italian army and distinguished himself during the Italian campaigns from 1796 to 1797, among others at the Battle of Bassano and at Gradisca from. upon crossing the Isonzo in March 1797 where he suffered a serious injury, he was promoted to battalion chief of Napoleon.

He then distinguished himself in the Egyptian campaign, especially in Salehieh and at the storming of Jaffa, and was again severely wounded at Aboukir. After his return was appointed brigade chief, he helped on the 18th Brumaire to overthrow the Directory. After Marengo, he was sent on diplomatic missions to Vienna, St. Petersburg, Stockholm and Copenhagen to represent the interests of the First Consul, for which this Division for General (1803 ) and named him after his accession in 1804 to the grand marshal of the palace.

As governor du Palais impérial, Grand Officier de la Maison de l' Empereur, Grand Maréchal du Palais he was responsible for the personal security of Napoleon in France or on the campaigns, and took care of every detail of the imperial household.

In 1805 he commanded at Austerlitz during the absence Oudinot Grenadier Corps, concluded after the battle of Jena and Auerstedt peace with Saxony and in 1807 after the Battle of Friedland the armistice which preceded the peace of Tilsit, after which he was raised to the Duke of Friuli (1808 ). Duroc was significantly involved in the Treaty of Fontainebleau and Bayonne ( 1807-08 ), which regulated the French intervention in Spain. In the Battle of Aspern he commanded the reserve artillery on the island of Lobau, was negotiating after the Battle of Znojmo Znojmo the armistice, 1812 accompanied the fleeing from Russia to France and Emperor led here reorganization of the imperial guard. After the Russian campaign he was in 1813 appointed Senator.

In a rearguard action after Bautzen battle he suffered accompanied Napoleon an uncontrollable by the then medicine wounding ( a cannonball tore the abdomen on ) and died in a nearby farmhouse on 23 May 1813. Napoleon bought the farm and built Duroc there a monument. He also ordered the transfer of the remains Duroc to Les Invalides, but this only happened in 1847.

Duroc was Napoleon's most intimate confidant, and almost always in his company. His noble character, his kindness and faithful attachment were also recognized by the Emperor and reciprocated by its full confidence. Duroc often exerted a moderating and mediating influence on him. Napoleon was hit by Duroc death deep. How much he appreciated the faithful service of his general was even more years later, when he ( 100,000 francs ) intent on St. Helena Duroc daughter with an impressive legacy. His successor as Lord Chamberlain, Henri -Gratien Bertrand.

Testimony

Napoleon ruled on Saint Helena on Duroc:

" Son exact service était et régulier; ce que n'était Lorsque ma journée était entièrement close finie et, quand je me reposais deja que la sienne commençait. Duroc était pure, moral, tout à fait pour recevoir disinterest, extrêmement généreux pour donner. "

Honors

His name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in the 15th column. In marker village, the place of his death, a hotel is named after him.