Auguste Franois-Marie de Colbert-Chabanais

Auguste François-Marie de Colbert-Chabanais was a French general during the Napoleonic Wars, born on October 18, 1777, in Paris, and killed on January 3, 1809, near Cacabelos, Spain. He joined the army as a private and rose through the ranks, becoming aide-de-camp to Emmanuel Grouchy and later to Joachim Murat. Colbert served in the Army of Italy and participated in the Egyptian campaign, where he was wounded at the Siege of Acre. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Marengo in 1800, earning the Légion d'honneur on December 11, 1803, and became colonel of the 10th Chasseurs à cheval Regiment on December 25, 1804. During the Napoleonic Wars, Colbert fought at the Battles of Elchingen, Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau, and Friedland. He led cavalry charges in support of Marshal Michel Ney’s forces and was promoted to brigadier general by the end of 1805. In 1808, he was sent to Spain for the Peninsular War, where he fought at the Battles of Medina del Rioseco and Tudela. While commanding cavalry under Marshal Nicolas Soult, Colbert’s troopers captured prisoners and supplies but were later engaged at Cacabelos. Colbert was killed by a long-range rifle shot fired by British Rifleman Thomas Plunket during the retreat of Sir John Moore’s army. His last words reflected his dedication to France. A statue was planned for him on the pont de la Concorde, though it was never built. His name is engraved on the Arc de Triomphe. Colbert married and had two children; he was remembered for ...