Pierre Belon Lapisse
| Pierre Belon Lapisse | |
|---|---|
LAPISSE is the tenth name on Column 37 (left) of the Arc de Triomphe.
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| Born |
25 November 1762 Lyon, France |
| Died |
30 July 1809 (aged 46) Santa Olalla, Spain |
| Allegiance |
 France |
| Service/branch | Infantry |
| Years of service | 1779–1809 |
| Rank | General of Division |
| Battles/wars |
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| Awards | Légion d'Honneur, CC 1804 Order of the Iron Crown, 1808 |
| Other work | Baron of the Empire, 1808 |
Pierre Belon Lapisse, Baron de Sainte-Hélène (25 November 1762 – 30 July 1809) commanded an infantry division in Napoleon's armies and was fatally wounded fighting against the British in the Peninsular War. He enlisted in the French Army during the reign of Louis XVI and fought in the American Revolutionary War. Appointed an officer at the start of the French Revolutionary Wars, he rose in rank to become a general officer by 1799. From 1805 to 1807 during the Napoleonic Wars, he led a brigade in the Grande Armée at Dornbirn, Jena, Kołoząb, Golymin, and Eylau. After promotion he commanded a division in the thick of the action at Friedland in 1807.
In 1808, Napoleon ennobled Lapisse and transferred him to Spain where he led his division at Espinosa. Detailed to lead one of three columns that were invade Portugal, he was completely outmaneuvered by an inferior force. He surprised and defeated a British infantry division in the Casa de Salinas action, but was mortally wounded the following day during heavy fighting at Talavera. Lapisse is one of the names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe, on Column 37.
Lapisse was born into the family of a tapestry weaver in Lyons on 25 November 1762. He enlisted on 5 April 1779 in the Armagnac Infantry Regiment, which had been created by splitting it from the old Navarre Regiment. He fought with the unit in the American Revolutionary War and was promoted to sergeant in 1784.
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