Born into a family of ancient lineage, he served initially against the Turks, and later commanded the artillery under Clerfay during the Revolutionary war, winning the Commander's cross of the Order of Maria Theresa. In 1803, he was appointed Commandant-General of Bohemia. In 1805, he served in the army whose mission it was to occupy Bavaria, and he thus escaped the capitulation at Ulm. He was subsequently given responsibility for the execution of the articles of the Treaty of Pressburg with respect to the artillery. In 1807, he was appointed governor general of Transylvania, and the following year promoted to the rank of Feldmareschal. He fought in the 1809 campaign and was beaten at Abensberg and again beneath the walls of Ratisbon. He fought bravely at Wagram (5-6 July, 1809) and returned to Transylvania after the Peace signed in Vienna.
Jacques GARNIER
(c) Fayard, with permission, trans. P.H.