1. Louis Desaix was considered one of the greatest generals of the Revolutionary Wars.
10 Facts About Louis Desaix
1. 2.
Louis Desaix received his military education at the school founded by Marshal d'Effiat, and entered the French royal army.
3.
Provisionally appointed commander of the Army of England, Louis Desaix was transferred by Bonaparte to the expeditionary force intended to invade Egypt.
4.
When command passed to Kleber, Louis Desaix was one of a small party of French officers selected to accompany Bonaparte back to France.
5.
However, after the ship arrived in Livorno, British Admiral Lord Keith, in defiance of the Convention of El Arish, declared Louis Desaix to be a prisoner of war and detained him, refusing to recognise his status as a general officer.
6.
The campaign of 1800 was close to its climax when Louis Desaix arrived in Italy.
7.
Louis Desaix was immediately assigned to the command of a corps of two infantry divisions serving in the Army of Italy.
8.
Louis Desaix arrived with Boudet's division at the moment when the Austrians were victorious all along the line.
9.
At the moment of victory, Louis Desaix was killed by a musket ball.
10.
Napoleon paid tribute to Louis Desaix by erecting monuments to him, one on the Place Dauphine and the other in the Place des Victoires in Paris.