R-83 MARÉCHAL BESSIÈRES

Jean Baptiste Bessieres was born in August 1768 and died in May 1813. He was an officer of the French army, its general and marshal of the Empire during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815). Originally, Jean Baptiste Bessieres was to become a surgeon (like his father), but in 1790 he volunteered for the army, and in 1792 he fought in the Pyrenees against Spain. In 1794 he was promoted to the rank of captain, and in the years 1796-1797 he took part in the Italian campaign, where he was recognized by Napoleon Bonaparte. He also took part in the Egyptian campaign, and in 1799 he returned to France with Napoleon. In 1800, he distinguished himself at the Battle of Marengo, and two years later was promoted to Major General. In 1804 he was appointed Marshal of France. In 1808, he was sent to Spain, where he received a fully independent command for the first time, but he did not appear to be completely positive in these actions. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809. He also took part in the campaign in Russia in 1812. Jean Baptiste Bessieres was killed in a cannon shot on May 1, 1813 during the war with the Sixth Coalition.