Napoleonic War Biographies: Marshal Michel Ney (England, 1769-1815)


Figure 1.--These boys are three of Marshal Ney's four sons. THe youngest boy wears a skeleton suit. The two older boys seem to be wearing what might be called tunics. Unlike the skeleton suit, these tunic outfits were not juvenile outfits, but rather a fashion statement of their now nobel status. Joachim Murat, another of Napoleon's great marshals made 1st Prince Murat, Grand Duke of Berg wss painted as King of Naples in a similar tunic outfit. The boys of course are preparg to play war. They were painted by woman artist, Marie-Éléonore Godefroid in 1809. The painting was done just after Chrstmas and the boys were presumavly painted with their new toys. Their yonger brother was not born until 1812.

Michel Ney was one of the great commanders of both the French Revolutin and the Napoleonic Wars. He came from himble origins. His father was a coper. He was born in Sarrelouis, Moselle (1769). He joined a hussar (light cavalry) regiment as a teenager just before the Revolution (1787). His elan and personality combinind with skills as a horseman and fencing won him quick promotions. Marshal Ney was known as the 'Bravest of the Brave' which is evidenced by his many wounds and injuries. There was never a question about his courage, but caution and reflection is a different matter. His temperment and inclination to attack commitment to the often overcame sound military thinking. He had a well-established military reputation before the rise of Napoleon--becoming a General of the Revolution. He than was an important commander for Napoleon at Neerwinden, Mainz, Mannheim, Winterthur, Hohenlinden, Elchingen, Jena, Eylau, Friedland, Bussaco, Smolensk, Borodino, Beresina, Weissenfels, Lutzen, Bautzen, Dennewitz, Leipzig. Napoleon made him a prince of the Empire--Prince de la Moscowa. At the end of Napolon's campahigns after the disaster in Russia (1812) and failed German campaign (1813), his relationship with the Emperor became strained. He was one of the French commanders who urged Napoleon to abdicate. He then joined the service of the restored Bourbons. He switched sides again to join Napoleon for the climatic Hundred Days' Campaign. Many militry historians believe that he made major mistakes at Quatre Bras which upset the Emperor's strategic plan, leading to final debacle at Waterloo. After Waterloo and the Emperor's exile to St. Helena, Ney was tried to treason bu the again restored Bourbons. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was executed December 7, 1815.

Family

Michel Ney was one of the great commanders of both the French Revolutin and the Napoleonic Wars. He came from himble origins. His father, Pierre Ney (1738-1826), was a coper. He was also a veteran of the Seven Years War. We have no details, but suspect he told stories about the War. This must have affected his son's outlook. His mother was Margarethe Grewelinger (1739–91). As a master cooper, Pierre Ney was able to raise his family in relative comfort.

Childhood

Michel was born in Sarrelouis, Moselle (1769). At the time, Sarrelouis was a French enclave in the Saarland, a largely German area. Michel grew up bilingual, due to his family and the community. As his father was a cooper. Michel as he grew up must have worked with horses and became a talented horseman.

Education

Michel was not educated as a soldier, but rather to be a civil servant. His father could afford to educate his children and afford him a gateway to the middleclass. Michel attended Collège des Augustins, a secondary schools. As a teenager he became a notary in Saarlouis. He also became an overseer of mines and forges. He found, however, his new career to be dull and decided not to pursue it. Rather he turned to the military.

Military Career

Ney military career is a matter of legend. I do not know of a military commander who has played an important role in so many battles, both for the French Revolution and Napoleonic Empire. Ney joined a hussar (light cavalry) regiment as a teenager with no military education or training. It was a quiet time. France was at peace after major wars (The Seven Year War and the american Revolution). It proved to be a quiet interlude before a major turning point in history (1787). The French Revolution erupte 2 year lter (1789). His elan and personality combinind with skills as a horseman and fencing won him quick promotions in the non-commissioned ranks. Until the Revolution, a commision was basically reserved to the nobility. The Revolution opened commissions to commers like Ney. With the dissolution of the monarchy (September 1792), Ney was commissioned as an officer (October 1792). And he would be in th thick of the many battles of the French Republic. In an era when a minor wound could mean death, I do not know of a commander who has had so many serious wounds and returned to command again and again. There was never a question about his courage, but caution and reflection is a different matter. His temperment and inclination to attack commitment to the often overcame sound military thinking. He had a well-established military reputation before the rise of Napoleon--becoming a General of the Revolution. He than was an important commander for Napoleon at Neerwinden, Mainz, Mannheim, Winterthur, Hohenlinden, Elchingen, Jena, Eylau, Friedland, Bussaco, Smolensk, Borodino, Beresina, Weissenfels, Lutzen, Bautzen, Dennewitz, Leipzig. He was one of the original 18 Marshals of the Empire created by Napoleon. His men clled him, Le Rougeaud ('red faced' or 'ruddy'). Napoleon referred to him as 'le Brave des Braves' (the Bravest of the Brave) which is evidenced by his many wounds and injuries. Napoleon rised him to prince of the Empire--Prince de la Moscowa. He was the hero of the retreat from Moscow.

Family

Ney married Aglaé Louise Auguié (1782 – 1854) at Thiverval-Grignon (1802). She was the daughter of Pierre César Auguié (1738–1815) and Adélaïde Henriette Genet (1758–1794). We do not know much about the marriage. The Neys had four sons, all ofwho survived childhood which was bot all that common at the time. The boys were: Joseph Napoléon (1803-57), Michel Louis Félix (1804-54), Eugène Michel (1806-45), and Edgar Napoléon Henry (1812-82). The boyswould have their father's titles returned after the fall of the restored Bourbons. They for the most part has uneventful lives except for Michel Louis who died during the Crimean War.

Final Years

At the end of Napolon's campahigns after the disaster in Russia (1812) and failed German campaign (1813), his relationship with the Emperor became strained. He was one of the French commanders who urged Napoleon to abdicate. He then joined the service of the restored Bourbons. He switched sides again to join Napoleon for the climatic Hundred Days' Campaign. Many militry historians believe that he made major mistakes at Quatre Bras which upset the Emperor's strategic plan, leading to final debacle at Waterloo. After Waterloo and the Emperor's exile to St. Helena, Ney was tried for treason bu the again restored Bourbons. There was no doubt about his guilt. He not only joined Napoleon for the Hundred Days Campaign, but issued a proclamation encourging French soldiers to come over to the Emperor. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was executed December 7, 1815.






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Created: 3:50 PM 4/4/2017
Last updated: 3:50 PM 4/4/2017