Michel Ney, duke d’Elchingen, (born Jan. 10, 1769, Sarrelouis, France—died Dec. 7, 1815, Paris), French army officer, the best-known of Napoleon’s marshals. He distinguished himself in the French Revolutionary Wars and rose to general in 1799. A supporter of Napoleon, he was created marshal of France in 1804 and duke d’Elchingen in 1808 after victories in the Napoleonic Wars. He led French forces in the Battle of Friedland (1807) and at the Battle of Borodino (1812). In the French retreat from Moscow, he courageously commanded the exposed rear guard and earned Napoleon’s praise as “the bravest of the brave.” After Napoleon’s abdication, Ney favoured Louis XVIII but rallied to Napoleon’s support in the Hundred Days and commanded troops at the unsuccessful Battle of Waterloo. After the Bourbon Restoration, he was court-martialed and shot by firing squad.
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army Summary
Army, a large organized armed force trained for war, especially on land. The term may be applied to a large unit organized for independent action, or it may be applied to a nation’s or ruler’s complete military organization for land warfare. Throughout history, the character and organization of
Battle of Waterloo Summary
Battle of Waterloo, (June 18, 1815), Napoleon’s final defeat, ending 23 years of recurrent warfare between France and the other powers of Europe. It was fought during the Hundred Days of Napoleon’s restoration, 3 miles (5 km) south of Waterloo village (which is 9 miles [14.5 km] south of Brussels),
France Summary
France, country of northwestern Europe. Historically and culturally among the most important nations in the Western world, France has also played a highly significant role in international affairs, with former colonies in every corner of the globe. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the