Marshal Oudinot-soldier of the First Empire of France
Nicholas Charles Oudinot, 1st Comte Oudinot, Duc de Reggio and Marshal of Napoleon Bonaparte's France was not born in the unusual style of the great men of the First Empire, but far from the opportunities that might lead to greatness. One of nine children and the son of a brewer, distiller and farmer in Lorraine, Oudinot served as an ordinary soldier during the 1780s eventually resigning with the rank of sergeant after despairing of failing to achieve further promotion. The French Revolution then cast opportunity at his feet as only great social turmoil can and created the chance to rise through merit in ways impossible during the days of the old regime it swept aside. As a lieutenant colonel of volunteers in 1793 his action in the defence of the fort at Bitsch brought him to the notice of influential commanders and he was transferred to the regular army where recognition for his talent in numerous actions, but particularly at Kaiserslautern in 1794, won him promotion to general of brigade. Now Oudinot began to keep company with the great soldiers of France and he proved himself consistently on the battlefield, rising to inspector general of infantry and winning both the sword of honour and the grand cross of the Legion of Honour. By 1809 Oudinot had joined the elite ranks of the Marshals of France. He fought at Schongrabern, decisively at Austerlitz, at Friedland, Wagram, on the Russian Campaign, Lutzen, Bautzen, Leipzig and in the campaign to Napoleon's fall in 1814. Oudinot supported the Bourbon Restoration and did not rally to his former master's flag during the Hundred Days. This account of the Marshal's life and career is ably assisted by contributions from his wife. This book is, of course, essential reading for all those interested in the Napoleonic age and especially in the actions of its most outstanding military figures.
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