La Bataille d' Heilsberg 1807

Savary would have other military highlights in his career including: Jena; Wismer; the seizure of Rostock; the siege of Hamelin; the victory in 1807 at Ostrolenka; and the command of the Fusiliers again at Friedland.

However, it was his non-military work in which he achieved even greater successes. This son of a soldier was born in a small town in the Ardennes in 1774. He was in the Wars of the Revolution at age 18 in 1792. He was Desaix’s aide-de-camp in Egypt and fought at the Pyramids. He accompanied Desaix back to Italy and at Marengo, where he recovered the body of the slain Desaix, and delivered the news to Bonaparte, who made Savary his aide. Ability to Use Disguises Savary was made commander of the Consular Guard Gendarmerie protecting Bonaparte in 1801. He became close to Napoleon and would visit Josephine’s estate at Malmaison, where he would participate in private theatrical productions. Perhaps that is where he developed his ability to use disguises, which he would use later in some of his official functions, notably during intelligence operations in the Vendee, and then later when escaping Spain after engaging in the overthrow of the Spanish monarchy in 1807. In 1802, he married a classmate of Hortense Beuharnais, Marie-Charlotte-Félicité de Faudoas-Barbazan de Segnanville, with whom he would have seven children. He was made a General de Brigade in 1803 and developed his knack for intelligence and espionage as well as intrigue. He broke up several assassination plots against Napoleon. He also was deeply involved in the proceedings against the Duke of Enghien, and Savary supervised his execution—with history rightly or wrongly painting Savary as one of the heavies of the Napoleonic period. Promoted to General de Division in 1805, Savary’s primary contribution to the Austerlitz campaign was his role as Napoleon’s chief negotiator in peace talks with Tsar Alexander in late November, during which Savary convinced the Russians that the French were far weaker than truly was the case. Savary was successful in his performance and the French would then surprise the Coalition forces at Austerlitz. After Friedland, Savary was sent to St. Petersburg for negotiations. He was then sent to Spain and was involved in the intrigues that led to the fall of the Spanish monarchy. He was named Duke of Rovigo that same year. He also assisted Napoleon at Erfurt in 1808. The 1809 campaign along the Danube was Savary’s last military role. In 1810, he replaced Fouché as Minister of Police. Savary was noted for his rigorous, even harsh administration. However, compared to his predecessor, Savary was loyal and generally was successful. He was embarrassed by the Malet conspiracy in 1812 while Napoleon was in Russia; but Savary stood by Napoleon till his first abdication in 1814. When Napoleon returned to France in 1815, Savary returned to his service.

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