General Louis-Lazare Hoche

General Hoche is often considered one of the best of the Revolutionary generals. Despite his stellar record, he was arrested after the defection of Dumouriez, but later acquitted. Unfortunately, Pichegru became jealous of Hoche's success and alleged that Hoche was treasonous, and he was again arrested. While in prison, he met the widow of General de Beauharnais, Josephine de Beauharnais, who was to later become the wife of General Bonaparte. Trapped in the prison with uncertain fates, they allegedly became lovers and were released after the fall of Robespierre. Upon his release, he was appointed to put down the Vendean rebellion, which he did with great success and humanity towards the people.

Napoleon once said that Hoche was a true man of war and one of the best generals that France had ever produced.

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.

Markham, J. David. Napoleon For Dummies. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc, 2005.

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