Grouchy, EMMANUEL, MARQUIS DE

Grouchy, EMMANUEL, MARQUIS DE, French general, born at Paris, 23d October 1766. Entering the army at fourteen, he threw in his lot with the Revolution, and had his first taste of serious work in helping to suppress the Vendean revolt. After being nominated second to Hoche for the abortive expedition to Ireland, though Grouchy did enter Bantry Bay, he proceeded to join Joubert in Italy in 1798. Under Moreau, he greatly distinguished himself in Piedmont, and at Novi was taken prisoner, but subsequently exchanged (1799). Later he fought with conspicuous gallantry at Hohenlinden, Eylau, Friedland, Wagram, and in the Russian campaign of 1812, being appointed during the memorable retreat leader of the 'sacred' bodyguard of Napoleon. After the disastrous battle of Leipzig, Grouchy covered the retreat of the French on the west side of the Rhine. Amongst the first to welcome Napoleon after his escape from Elba, Grouchy destroyed the Bourbon opposition in the south of France, and then, hastening north, routed Blücher at Ligny. After the defeat at Waterloo and the second abdication of Napoleon, Grouchy, appointed by the provisional government commander-in-chief of the broken armies of France, led them skilfully back towards the capital; then, resigning, he betook himself to the United States. He returned from exile in 1819, and was reinstated as marshal in 1831. His death occurred at St-Étienne on 29th May 1847. See his Mémoires, edited by his grandson (5 vols. 1873–74).