Jean Baptiste Alexandre Strolz

Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Baron de Strolz sometimes written Stroltz (born 6 August 1771, Belfort, France – died 27 October 1841, Paris) was a French General during the Napoleonic wars, Chief of Staff of André Masséna during the Italian campaign, Aide-de-Camp to Joseph Bonaparte, King of Naples and King of Spain, Baron of the First French Empire, Member of Parliament and pair de France.

Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Strolz was born in Belfort, a city in the then German-speaking region of the Kingdom of France the son of Royal inspector of Bridges and Streets in the Franche-Comté, Peter Leo, also known as Pierre Léon, and his wife Maria Clara, née Schmitt and was baptized on the same day. Strolz' family was from the minor Austrian nobility, as a young man Peter Leo had fled his native Austria to avoid the ecclastical career his parents had him destined for. His parents had him trained for a career as a lawyer, but he gave up his studies during the French Revolution and joined the 1er Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval as a volunteer in 1790.

As a cavalry man of the French Revolutionary Army during the War of the First Coalition campaigns of 1793 and 1794, Strolz served with the 1st Régiment de Chasseurs à Chéval in the Armée de la Moselle, fought in the expedition into Germany, notably in the taking of Trier and at the Battle of Arlon. In 1794, his regiment was part of General Laboissière's cavalry brigade in the Saint-Cyr Division of the French Army of the Rhine. With the Armée du Nord, he fought at the battle of Fleurus and the battle of Hohenlinden among others. His reputation for boldness led to appointment in the Armée de Sambre-et-Meuse (1794–96). Made a brevet lieutenant, he was appointed aide de camp to General Kléber in September 1794.

He was later appointed aide de camp to generals Jacques Maurice Hatry and Jean Victor Marie Moreau, successively. Promoted to captain with the 16e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval in June 1798, Chef d’Escadron (=major) in February 1800. During the Campaign of 1800, after the Battle of Hohenlinden, he negotiated a local armistice on behalf of Moreau with Archduke Charles. He was promoted to major, the equivalent of a today's lieutenant colonelship, with the 19e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval in 1803. Strolz received a battlefield promotion to full colonel by General, later Field Marshal, Massena on 29 October 1805 after the battle of Verona. After service as Massena's chief of staff, he joined the ranks of the Army of Joseph Bonaparte, king of Naples in February 1806.

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