General Dominique-Joseph-René Vandamme

Vandamme was a difficult man to get along with, but nonetheless a talented fighting general. For all the difficulties he caused his superiors, he was very loyal. Napoleon once remarked that had he had two Vandammes, he would have had to order one to hang the other.

In 1809, after Oudinot, Macdonald, and Marmont were created marshals, Vandamme was furious at Napoleon for not being made a marshal. He exclaimed that Napoleon was a coward and a liar and had it not been for Vandamme, Napoleon would still be keeping pigs in Corsica. Many considered Vandamme's bad temper and unruly behavior the very reason he was not created a marshal.

Vandamme was captured at the Battle of Kulm despite his best efforts, and was dragged before Czar Alexander of Russia and his brother Grand Duke Constantine. Constantine allegedly stripped Vandamme's sword away from him, a bad breach of chivalry and honor. Then, Alexander accused Vandamme of looting, to which Vandamme replied, "At least I haven't been accused of killing my father," referring to the fact that Alexander was rumored to have been involved in the death of his father to seize the Russian throne.

On June 18th, 1815, Vandamme and Gérard begged Grouchy to allow them to march their corps to the sound of guns to the west, namely Waterloo, and Grouchy refused.

Vandamme once said of Napoleon, "So it is that I who fear neither God nor the Devil, tremble like a child when I approach him."

Sources:

Chandler, David G. Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1979.

Elting, John R. Swords Around a Throne: Napoleon's Grande Armee. USA: Da Capo Press, 1997.

Haythornthwaite, Philip J. Who Was Who in the Napoleonic Wars. London: Arms & Armour, 1998.

Six, Georges. Dictionnaire Biographique des Generaux & Amiraux Francais de la Revolution et de l'Empire (1792-1814). Paris: Gaston Saffroy, 2003.

• Napoleon.org Biography
• Monuments to Vandamme