Home › R › Rapp (JEAN COUNT a French military)

Rapp (JEAN COUNT a French military)

JEAN, COUNT, a French military officer; born in Colmar, Haut-Rhin, France, April 27, 1772. He was intended for the Church, but his taste for a military life led him to enroll himself (1788) in the mounted "chasseurs" of the French army. Rapp distinguished himself by dashing gallantry in in Germany and Egypt, and on the death of Desaix at Marengo he became aide-decamp to Napoleon. His brilliant charge at Austerlitz on the Russian Imperial Guard was rewarded with the grade of general of divison (1805). For his services at Lobau he was named a count of the empire (1809). He opposed the Russian expedition, but accompanied the emperor throughout the whole of it. His obstinate defense of Danzig for nearly a year against a powerful Russian army gained for him greater renown, and his chivalrous and considerate treatment of the unfortunate inhabitants during the siege was warmly appreciated by them.

The Russians, contrary to the articles of capitulation, tulation, sent sent Rapp Rapp and his garrison prisoners to Russia, and he did not return to France till July, 1814. On reaching Paris he was well received by Louis XVIII.; but in 1815 he went over to his old master, and was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Rhine, and peer of France. After RAPPAHANNOCK Waterloo Rapp again submitted to Louis.

Re-created a peer of France (1819), he held various offices about the court, and died in Baden, Nov. 18, 1821.