Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815

Michel Ney was one of 18 Marshals of France under Napoleon. He participated in the French invasion of and retreat from Russia in 1812 and earned himself the nickname of "Le Rougeaud, le Brave des Braves" (the bravest of the brave) from Napoleon. He was named the 1st Due d'Elchingen (1805) and 1st Prince de la Moskowa (1813) by Napoleon. Ney assisted in the effort to depose Napoleon, sided with the restoration of the monarchy and Louis XVIII. When Napoleon again assumed his position as Emperor, Ney originally sided with the monarchy, but later came to support Napoleon. After the final defeat of Napoleon, Ney was tried and executed.

Michel Ney (1769-1815) s’engagea à 19 ans au régiment colonel général des hussards. Il se couvrit de gloire dans les guerres de la Révolution et de l’Empire, notamment à Ulm, Iéna, Friedland et surtout dans la Campagne de Russie. Il fut maréchal d’Empire, duc d’Elchingen, prince de la Moskowa. Les revers de la Grande Armée, en 1814, ne nuisirent pas à sa carrière. Il se rallia aux Bourbons et négocia avec eux les clauses de la première abdication de Napoléon. La Première Restauration le vit devenir gouverneur de la 6e division militaire et pair de France. Chargé d’arrêter Napoléon, il se déclara pour lui et lança, à Lons-le-Saunier, sa fameuse proclamation « La Cause des Bourbons est à jamais perdue ! » (14 mars 1814), principal acte d’accusation à son procès. À Waterloo, il se battit héroïquement. Le 24 juillet parurent les deux ordonnances royales relatives aux personnes compromises pendant les Cent-Jours. Mis en accusation, Ney fut condamné à mort et exécuté en décembre 1815. De son mariage avec Aglaé-Louise Auguié, il avait eu quatre fils : Léon (1803-1857), mari d’Albine Laffitte et père d’Eglé (future duchesse de Persigny) et de Michel-Napoléon de la Moskowa ; Aloys (1804-1854), époux de Marie-Joséphine Souham (en premières noces, baronne de Vatry), d’où Michel, 3e duc d’Elchingen, qui épousa Paule Heine, et Hélène, princesse Nicolas Bibesco ; Eugène (1806-1845) ; Edgard (1812-1822).

Michel Ney, Marshal of France, Duke of Elchingen, and Prince of Moscow, was born in 1769 at Saarlouis, France. He was a soldier during the French Revolutionary Wars, rising quickly through the ranks to General in Napoleon's army in 1799. His rise was hastened by incredible bravery on several campaigns during the Revolutionary era. He was married to Aglae Auguie in a marriage that was arranged by Napoleon's wife, Josephine. Ney was most famous for his protection of the Rear Guard during the disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812. Napoleon called Ney the 'Bravest of the Brave, ' and gave him the titles of Duc d'Elchingen in 1808 and Prince de la Moskowa in 1812. Despite these honors, Ney was known to be reckless and to take offense easily. He had little interest in or knowledge of strategy and did not like politics. Upon Napoleon's banishment to Elba and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814, Ney was given a peerage by Louis XVIII because Ney overstated his role in convincing Napoleon to abdicate. Ney betrayed the Louis XVIII later that year when, after Napoleon's escape, Ney rejoined his former commander and assisted his return to Paris. Ney fought at Waterloo with Napoleon and after the loss was executed on December 7, 1815 by French authorities for his role in Napoleon's return.

Marshal of France.

Michel Ney, Marshal of France, Duke of Elchingen, and Prince of Moscow, was born in 1769 at Saarlouis, France. He was a soldier during the French Revolutionary Wars, rising quickly through the ranks to General in Napoleon's army in 1799. His rise was hastened by incredible bravery on several campaigns during the Revolutionary era. He was married to Aglae Auguie in a marriage that was arranged by Napoleon's wife, Josephine.

Ney was most famous for his protection of the Rear Guard during the disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812. Napoleon called Ney the Bravest of the Brave,' and gave him the titles of Duc d'Elchingen in 1808 and Prince de la Moskowa in 1812. Despite these honors, Ney was known to be reckless and to take offense easily. He had little interest in or knowledge of strategy and did not like politics. Upon Napoleon's banishment to Elba and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814, Ney was given a peerage by Louis XVIII because Ney overstated his role in convincing Napoleon to abdicate. Ney betrayed the Louis XVIII later that year when, after Napoleon's escape, Ney rejoined his former commander and assisted his return to Paris. Ney fought at Waterloo with Napoleon and after the loss was executed on December 7, 1815 by French authorities for his role in Napoleon's return.