Junot first came to the attention of Napoleon during the
siege of Toulon and went on to distinguish himself in the campaign in Italy. It
was there that he received a head wound that was said to have changed his
character making him unpredictable and rash.
In common with many of the other French officers he hated
campaigning in Egypt and alleviated the boredom by duelling. After one duel
where Lannes, Murat and Bessieres acted as his seconds they were all reprimanded
by Napoleon who said they were “like silly crocodiles fighting in the reeds”.
This didn’t go down too well with any of them, but Junot had to be sent home
with a resulting wound.
 |
| FN/358 General Junot, in uniform of Colonel-General of Hussars (on horse FNH/11) |
He was sent to Spain in 1807 and created Duc d’Abrantes for capturing Lisbon but the humiliating defeat at Vimiero blotted his copy book further with the Emperor. The final straw came with his failure to pursue the Russians after the battle of Smolensk in 1812 and a furious Napoleon determined that he should never receive a marshal’s baton.
He returned to France in disgrace and is believed to have
committed suicide, dying in 1813.
14 comments:
What a terribly sad biography, but he looks fantastic. As he was a General of Hussars, could this mean...possibly...that he's going to get his own special regiment?
I've lost count of your Hinton Hunt French generals. You must have painted them all by now, surely!
All the best
WM
I thought it was rather sad too!
You are sharp as always WM as he is indeed the last one - there will be a full review in due course.
A sad tale of someone probably promoted beyond his ability - he features in the 'Napoleon' episode of the 'Heroes and Villains' series (a really good programme and well worth watching) although they show much older than he should have been at Toulon.
So, if he's the last is the Grande Armée now ready to march on Vienna?
Rob, it’s more a case of is the Grande Alliance ready to receive the French? Just about to start on some Austrian cavalry then I should be ready to repel any invasion!
Poor Junot, he clearly struggled with mental health but whilst still sane he was a very brave man albeit a not very good general. My understanding is he attempted to castrate himself at the end and bled to death.
He certainly cuts a dashing figure…
In some ways I sot of expect Napoleonic generals to have an adventurous life and a glorious or romantic end… but of course the truth is that they were all too human…
All the best. Aly
Robbie, yikes - as if the story couldn't get any worse!
Aly, this is true, they were actually real people not toy soldiers...
Nice work there IAN on the mounted General - great photography too.
Aha! So, you do intend to be Austrians/Allies, your own words betray you... and I quote: "Just about to start on some Austrian cavalry then I should be ready to repel any invasion!"
En avant mes enfants, à Vienne!
On the topic of marching against the Austrians, have you seen the film 'Le Retour du Héros' (The Return of the Hero), it's a French comedic farce set in the Napoleonic era and most entertaining! Strongly recommend watching it in French with subtitles.
Thanks Kev, not sure how I managed to take such a nice photo!
Rob, as if I would build up the allied forces prior to campaigning, that would be cheating!
Very smart looking gentleman, sad his abilities did not match up to his uniform.
Matt, yes at least he does have a nice uniform!
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