Davout
LOUIS NICOLAS (dä-vö'), a marshal of France; born in Annoux, May 10, 1770. He studied with Napoleon at Brienne, and entered the army in 1785. He took sides with the revolutionists, fought several battles under Dumouriez, and was made a Brigadier-General in 1793. He accompanied Napoleon in his Italian campaigns and in his expedition to Egypt. În 1804 he was made a marshal of the empire. The victories of Ulm and Austerlitz were mainly due to him, as also those of Eckmühl and Wagram. For these meritorious services he was created Duke of Auerstädt and Prince of Eckmühl. He joined the Russian expedition, and was wounded at Borodino. After the retreat from Moscow he defended Hamburg against all the forces of the allies, and surrendered.only after the peace of 1814.
When Napoleon returned from Elba, Davout was appointed his minister of war. DAWES After the battle of Waterloo he lived in retirement until 1819, when he took his seat in the Chamber of Peers. He died in Paris, June 1, 1823.