Jean-Antoine Verdier
Jean -Antoine Verdier ( born 2 May 1767 in Toulon, † May 30, 1839 Mâcon ) was a French general of division.
Life
On February 18, 1785 Verdier volunteered for the army and made very fast career; 1792 he was promoted to aide- de-camp of Marshal Charles Pierre François Augereau.
The following year, Verdier fought against Figueres ( → Castell de Sant Ferran ). Just back in France he took part in Napoleon's Italian campaign. He could be distinguished at the capture of Fort Medolano and fought at Castiglione (5 August 1796), at Arcole ( 15./17. November 1796 ) and in Rivoli ( 14-15. January 1797 ).
After subsequent promotions Verdier took part with its own command under the command of Jean -Baptiste Kléber on the Egyptian expedition. He fought at the Pyramids (July 21, 1798) and participated in the siege of Acre ( March / May 1799). Although he was severely wounded at the pyramids, he led the defense of Damietta (November 1, 1799). He stood with 1,000 troops against the landing of about 8,000 Janissaries. He was brave and received in addition to a further promotion to Napoleon's request by Kléber honor weapons.
Verdier returned to France and was under the command of Marshal Joachim Murat in the Cisalpine Republic. Later he fought alongside André Masséna on the Adige and was again wounded. After his recovery, Napoleon appointed him military governor of Livorno.
When Joseph Bonaparte was appointed king of Naples, Verdier was under the command of General Jean- Louis Reynier with Ebenezer to Naples. After subsequent promotions in 1807 he returned to France to undschloß the Grande Armée at. Under Jean Lannes, he led his own command and fought valiantly at Heilenberg (10 June 1807) and Friedland (14 June 1807).
The following year, Verdier was transferred to Spain to reinforce the troops there (→ Napoleonic Wars in the Iberian Peninsula). Together with General Jean -Baptiste Bessières he fought in the summer of 1808, inter alia, before Longroño and Zaragoza. After another promotion, he came into the bar by Nicolas Jean -de- Dieu Soult and was appointed military governor of Bilbao. In April 1810 Verdier was recalled and was able to return to France.
Under Marshal Charles Nicolas Oudinot took Verdier, 1812, to Napoleon's invasion of Russia in part and fought bravely at Kljastizy ( 28-29. July 1812 ), Polotsk ( 17-18. August 1812 ) and Borodino (7 September 1812). In the Second Battle of Polotsk ( 18./20. October 1812 ), he was very badly wounded. Through his flight to France Verdier was the retreat of the Grande Armée and the fiasco of Berezina ( 26-28. November 1812 ) spared.
From May 1813 Verdier could take over military tasks again. Together with the generals Pierre Guillaume Gratien and Marie -François Royer, he fought under the leadership of Eugène de Beauharnais in Italy. Before Ala ( November 1818 ) Verdier was wounded, but took over early in 1814 in command of Philibert Fressinet, Giuseppe Federico Palombini François and Jean- Baptiste de Quesnel. He fought bravely on the Mincio ( February 1814 ) and at Borghetto ( February 1814 ) and was able to return to France in June of the same year.
At the battle of Paris (30 March 1814) Verdier took no further part. Parallel to the abdication of Napoleon (→ Treaty of Fontainebleau ) he laid down almost all military offices. Abeer al Napoleon had left the island of Elba and the " rule of the Hundred Days " began Verdier took over the staff of Marshal Guillaume Marie Anne Brune again different tasks and was appointed Pair.
He participated in the Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815) and kept his prudence By J h Toulon from pillage. Soon after the second Treaty of Paris (20 November 1815) is Verdier withdrew into private life. King Louis XVIII. he stood during and after the Restoration for no more official available.