Jean-Marie Dorsenne
| Jean-Marie-Pierre-François Dorsenne | |
|---|---|
General Dorsenne, compte Lepaige
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Le beau Dorsenne |
| Born |
30 April 1773 Ardres, France |
| Died | 24 July 1812 (aged 39) Paris, France |
| Allegiance |
 France
|
| Service/branch | Imperial Guard |
| Years of service | 1791-1812 |
| Rank | General of Division |
| Unit | 1st Grenadiers (1806-1807), 2nd Division (Old Guard) (1809), Army of the North in Spain (1811-1812) |
| Battles/wars |
French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars |
| Awards | Count of the Empire Lepaige |
| Other work | Governor of Burgos Governor of the Old Castille |
Jean-Marie-Pierre-François Doursenne, called Dorsenne, count Lepaige (b. 30 April 1773 in Ardres; † 24 July 1812 in Paris) was a French military commander of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He eventually became one of the senior commanders in the Imperial Guard.
Dorsenne's military career began in 1791, when he joined the army as a volunteer. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Armée du Nord and became captain, subsequently joining the Armée du Rhin and then the Armée d’Italie. With the Army of Italy at the crossing of the Tagliamento (16 March 1797), Dorsenne's heroic conduct was noticed by commander-in-chief, general Napoleon Bonaparte, who promoted him to the rank of chef de bataillon (battalion commander). Bonaparte then enlisted Dorsenne's services for the Egyptian campaign, where the latter would display his usual bravery and would receive several battle wounds.
In 1805, after Emperor Napoleon created the Imperial Guard, Dorsenne was admitted in this elite unit as a major and displayed remarkable bravery at the Battle of Austerlitz, which would gain him the rank of colonel, on 18 December 1805. Only a week later, he was once again promoted, to the rank of brigadier general. By the end of 1806, Dorsenne had taken command of the prestigious Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard, which he soon had to lead in combat at the bloody Battle of Eylau. An impeccable officer, Dorsenne was created Count Lepaige in 1808. His elegance and robust physique brought him the nickname le beau Dorsenne (the handsome Dorsenne). After serving briefly in Spain, when the War of the Fifth Coalition broke out, Napoleon called him back to the newly created Grande Armée d'Allemagne and was given command of the Old Guard Infantry Division. After fighting at the battle of Ratisbon, Dorsenne had two horses killed under him at the battle of Aspern-Essling, subsequently receiving a serious head wound from a cannonball as he and his men were valiantly covering the retreat. He was promoted general of division soon after the battle and, after being present at the great battle of Wagram, was once again sent to Spain. There he was named governor of Burgos and then of the Old Castile.
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