Ney, Michel

(1769-1815)

(duke of Elchingen, prince of the Muskowa)

   marshal of France

   Born in Sarrelouis, Michel Ney joined the army in 1788, became a captain during the revolution of 1789 (1794), and, two years later, after the capture of Mannheim, was made brigadier general. This intrepid soldier (he was called "the bravest of the brave") distinguished himself again at Hohenlinden and then, from October 1802 to December 1803, undertook the political and military organization of Switzerland. Made a marshal of France in 1804, Ney won a victory at Elchingen, Bavaria (1805) followed by another at Ulm, Wiirttemberg. In 1808, napoléon i created him duke of Elchingen. Ney's participation in the Battle of Friedland was decisive, and he was subsequently sent to Spain (1808), where he occupied Galicia and Asturia. In 1812, he led the campaign and then the retreat from Russia, achieving many victories during both, and was made prince of the Moscowa. He took part in the campaign of 1813. He encouraged Napoléon to abdicate in 1814, then went over to King louis XV III, who made him a peer of France and governor of Besançon. The king ordered him to arrest Bonaparte upon his return from Elba, but Ney, with his troops, instead rallied to the emperor (March 13, 1815). Ney showed great courage at the Battle of Quatre-Bras (June 16, 1815) as well as at Waterloo. He was captured, arrested, and tried before the Chamber of Peers for having betrayed the Bourbons. He was condemned to death and shot the next day near the Paris observatory, where there is now a memorial statue by François rude. Marshal Ney's Mémoires were published in 1833.

   See also hundred days.