Emmanuel de Grouchy, marquis de Grouchy
A skilled cavalry commander whose fateful delay at Waterloo cemented his historical reputation as Napoleon's last, tragic marshal.
1766–1847 (age 81)·French Marshal·Birthday: October 23
Biography
Emmanuel de Grouchy's name is forever entangled with the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. A nobleman who embraced the Revolution, he was a brilliant cavalry officer with a long record of bravery, serving with distinction from the early Revolutionary Wars through Napoleon's greatest victories. His loyalty was rewarded in 1815 during the Hundred Days, when Napoleon, desperately short of experienced commanders, made him a Marshal of the Empire. This promotion led to his historical burden. At Waterloo, Napoleon gave Grouchy command of a third of the army with orders to pursue the retreating Prussians and prevent them from joining Wellington. Grouchy, a diligent but conventionally-minded soldier, followed his orders to the letter as the sound of the great battle thundered in the distance. He engaged a Prussian rear-guard but failed to march to the guns, a decision that allowed the main Prussian force to arrive at Waterloo and seal Napoleon's fate. Forever after, Grouchy was cast as the scapegoat for the defeat, a capable officer immortalized for the command he didn't give.
#1 When Emmanuel Was Born
The biggest hits of 1766
Emmanuel's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1766Born
1771Started school
1779Became a teenager
1782Could drive
1784Could vote
1787Turned 21
1796Turned 30
1806Turned 40
1816Turned 50
1826Turned 60
1836Turned 70
1846Turned 80
1847Died at 81
Key Achievements
- Was created a Marshal of the Empire by Napoleon in April 1815, the last man to receive that title.
- Commanded cavalry with great success at several major battles, including Friedland and during the 1814 campaign in France.
- Led the pursuit of the defeated Prussians after the Battle of Ligny in the Waterloo campaign.
- Successfully retreated his intact corps back to France after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo.
Did You Know?
He was the only Marshal of the Empire who served Napoleon during the Hundred Days to not defect back to King Louis XVIII beforehand.
After Waterloo, he lived in exile in the United States for several years before being allowed to return to France.
His sister was the celebrated salonnière Sophie de Condorcet.
He steadfastly defended his actions at Waterloo for the rest of his life, writing memoirs to justify his decisions.
“I followed my orders; the Prussians were not where the Emperor believed them to be.”
