General Joseph Barbanègre
Born: August 22, 1772
Place of Birth: Pontacq, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
Legion of Honor: Commander
Imperial Nobility: Baron
Died: November 7, 1830
Cause of Death: Unknown
Place of Death: Paris, France
Arc de Triomphe: East
Barbanègre served much of his career under Marshal Davout. During the Hundred Days, General Barbanègre was placed in command of the defense of Huningue. After Napoleon's second abdication, the city began to be plundered, so Barbanègre ordered his 135 men to fire on the pillagers. Before long the Austrian army arrived, and Barbanègre informed his men that he had no intention of surrendering and followed through with that despite Austrian threats. As the situation escalated, by August 14, 1815 there were 25,000 Austrian soldiers laying siege to Barbanègre and his small force. Barbanègre finally surrendered on August 26th, but marched out of the city with full military honors, and was embraced by the Austrian commander Archduke John.
Sources:
Ryan, Edward. Napoleon's Shield and Guardian: The Unconquerable General Daumesnil. London: Greenhill Books, 2003.External Links:
Six, Georges. Dictionnaire Biographique des Generaux & Amiraux Francais de la Revolution et de l'Empire (1792-1814). Paris: Gaston Saffroy, 2003.

