Bertrand Bessières

Bertrand Bessières, 1st Baron Bessières (born 6 January 1773 in Prayssac; died 15 November 1855 in Chantilly), was a French general of the Napoleonic Wars. He was the younger brother of Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessières, Duke of Istria.[1]

Bertrand Bessières
Born(1773-01-06)6 January 1773
Prayssac, Kingdom of France
Died15 November 1855(1855-11-15) (aged 82)
Chantilly, Second French Empire
Allegiance First French Republic
 First French Empire
Service/branchFrench First Republic Revolutionary Army
First French Empire Imperial Army
RankGénéral de brigade
Battles/warsFrench Revolutionary Wars
Napoleonic wars
RelationsJean-Baptiste Bessières (brother)

Biography

After serving with a good record in Italy, in Egypt and at Hohenlinden, Bertrand Bessières had a command in the Grande Armée, fought at Austerlitz and was subsequently promoted to brigadier general. In 1808 was sent to Spain, where he under General Duhesme in Catalonia[1] and played a notable part at the Battle of Molins de Rei near Barcelona.

Disagreements with his superior, led to his resignation, but he subsequently served with Napoleon in all the later campaigns of the empire and was wounded at Borodino and Leipzig.

His last public act was his defence of the unfortunate Marshal Ney. Placed on the retired list by the restored Bourbons, he spent the rest of his long life in retirement.

Bertrand, B is one of the many names inscribed Arc De Triomphe.

References
  1. Oman, Charles (1902). A History of the Peninsular War, Vol. I, pp. 309, 318–319. Project Gutenberg. Retrieved 7 May 2023.



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