31 Facts About Pierre-Joseph Habert

Pierre-Joseph Habert became known as the Ajax of the Army of Catalonia for his prolonged defense of Barcelona in 1814.

Pierre-Joseph Habert commanded a division during the Hundred Days at Ligny and Wavre, though he missed the Battle of Waterloo.

Pierre-Joseph Habert is one of the names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe.

Pierre-Joseph Habert went with Lazare Hoche's abortive expedition in support of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Pierre-Joseph Habert distinguished himself at the Battle of Heliopolis on 20 March 1800.

Pierre-Joseph Habert returned to France after the Capitulation of Alexandria.

On 29 May 1802, now a chef de brigade, Pierre-Joseph Habert received command of the 105th Line Infantry Regiment.

Pierre-Joseph Habert became a chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur in 1803 and an officer of the Legion in 1804.

Pierre-Joseph Habert fought at the Battle of Heilsberg on 10 June 1807 where he was wounded in the head and shoulder.

On 18 February 1808, Pierre-Joseph Habert won promotion to general of brigade and was granted 4,000 francs worth of annual rent from property in the Kingdom of Westphalia.

Suchet sent Musnier to assault the Spanish left flank while Pierre-Joseph Habert attacked the right.

Just as Pierre-Joseph Habert's troops became engaged, the French artillery scored a lucky hit on a Spanish artillery caisson behind the right wing.

Pierre-Joseph Habert's division was left to defend the place while Suchet consolidated his gains.

Pierre-Joseph Habert's division was the same as at Lerida, except that three battalions of the 16th Line Infantry replaced the 116th Line, which was transferred to Jean Isidore Harispe's division.

Pierre-Joseph Habert was elevated in rank to general of division on 25 June 1811 and appointed Baron of the Empire on 18 July.

Pierre-Joseph Habert was forced to refuse his left flank to avoid being bombarded from the sea by enemy gunboats.

Pierre-Joseph Habert wheeled his division to cut off their escape through the village of Puzzol, but the Walloon Guards Regiment bravely held the escape route open at great cost to themselves.

Pierre-Joseph Habert's army included the infantry divisions of Musnier, Harispe, Habert, Giuseppe Federico Palombini, Claude Antoine Compere, plus Andre Joseph Boussart's cavalry division.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Joseph Habert was ordered to break through the Spanish right flank between Valencia and the sea.

Meanwhile, the marshal ordered Pierre-Joseph Habert to contain Murray's center, Boussart to observe the enemy right flank, and Harispe to remain in reserve.

When Robert's assault failed, Suchet directed Pierre-Joseph Habert to withdraw and Harispe to cover the retreat.

At the battle Pierre-Joseph Habert commanded only 2,722 men in four battalions.

Pierre-Joseph Habert led the 3rd Division at the Battle of Ordal on 13 September 1813.

On 16 April 1814, Pierre-Joseph Habert launched a sortie for the purpose of collecting food which resulted in 200 French casualties.

The next day, when the Frenchman returned with a British naval officer to work out the details of the French evacuation of Barcelona, Pierre-Joseph Habert raged against the colonel, calling him a "traitor", and had to be restrained by his staff.

Pierre-Joseph Habert became a grand officer of the Legion d'Honneur on 29 July 1814 after King Louis XVIII of France restoration to power.

Pierre-Joseph Habert's troops captured the place, lost it to a counterattack, and captured it again.

Pierre-Joseph Habert launched a strong column of infantry at the main bridge, covered by two 12-pounder batteries, one on each side of the main road.

Pierre-Joseph Habert bought a home in Montreal, Yonne and moved there in 1817.

Pierre-Joseph Habert was still officially part of the general staff as late as 30 December 1818 and retired on 1 December 1824.

Pierre-Joseph Habert died of an unhealed war wound at his house in Montreal on 19 May 1825 and is buried nearby.