The French Revolutionary Wars, General Francois Severin Marceau - Desgraviers, Oval Patinated Bronzed Metal Medallion with a Tinned Reverse. 19th Century.
General Francois Severin Marceau - Desgraviers (1769 - 1796).
In 1785 Marceau enlisted in the infantry regiment of Savoy-Carignan and took part in the Bastille attack of 1789. He joined the Chartres volunteers, who elected him Lieutenant Colonel. He was unsuccessful at the Verdun garrison in 1792 when the Chartres Volunteers capitulated to the Prussians. He obtained a cavalry captaincy fighting the rebels of the Vendée in May 1793. A month later, in battle at Saumur he again distinguished himself and was promoted. He was made a General at the Battle of Cholet on October 16, 1793, and temporarily the Commander in Chief. Marceau’s heroism led to decisive victory over the Vendéan Grand Army in December of 1793.
Marceau was received with acclaim by the Convention in February 1794 and given a division in the Ardennes against the Austrians. He captured Koblenz, the former capital of the émigrés. In 1795 he crossed the Rhine with Jean - Baptiste Kléber where he led 17,000 men west of the Rhine facing Mainz and held an exposed flank. In 1796, when Jean-Baptiste Jourdan and the main army retreated, Marceau’s corps were the rear guard. In action at Altenkirchen Marceau was shot by a Tirolese sharpshooter and died two days later. aged 27.
Approximate dimensions are 12.8 cm height and 9.5 cm width.
Approximate weight is 58 grams.
In good condition with age related wear.