Charles Armand Tuffin, marquis de la Rouerie
Encyclopedia
Charles Armand Tuffin, marquis de la Rouërie (April 1751 – January 1793), also known in the United States as "Colonel Armand", was a Breton
cavalry officer who served under the American flag during the American War of Independence
. He was promoted to brigadier general after the Battle of Yorktown
. He is also known as one of the early leaders of the Breton Association
(the Chouannerie) during the French Revolution
.
. Infatuated with an actress (Mademoiselle Fleury
), he was thwarted in his intention of marrying her and met his rival, the count of Bourbon-Busset
, in a duel. He thus fell into disgrace with the king and, ejected from the gardes, took poison and went to la Trappe
to die. However, his friends met him there and prevented his suicide. His family then made him return to Fougères
, though he did not remain there long.
to join the Americans in their fight for independence. The Morris, the ship in which he crossed the Atlantic, was attacked by 3 British ships on its arrival. It was sunk in Chesapeake Bay
(Delaware
), but La Rouërie succeeding in getting to the shore, albeit completely naked and with only 3 surviving servants.
Under the orders of George Washington
, he became colonel Armand and recruited volunteers, paid from his own pocket. Pulaski's Legion
, initially named after its commander, was renamed the 1st Partisan Corps (or Armand's Partisan Corps or Armand's Legion
) after Pulaski's death at the end of 1779. Made up of infantry and cavalry, this corps of foreign volunteers fluctuated between 3 and 5 companies strong.
Made a general in 25 June 1778, he took part in the battles of New York, Monmouth
, Short Hills
, Brandywine
, Whitemarsh, the Campaign in Virginia, and the Siege of Yorktown
. In 1781, Colonel Armand returned to France to re-equip his troops, and was there made a knight of the Order of Saint-Louis. On 26 March 1783, he was made a Brigadier General
in the American Army, though he left the American army on 25 November that year. He returned to France for good in summer 1784, covered in glory and retaining Washington's friendship (the pair continued to correspond), though he is less-remembered than Lafayette
in treatments of French participation in the War.
As well as his military deeds, he also brought back American tulip trees
(offered him by Washington), the first to be imported into Europe, and these are still to be seen at the château de Saint-Ouen-la-Rouërie
.
In the troubles leading up to the French Revolution
, La Rouërie declared himself the champion of the nobility and parliament of Brittany, which was struggling against the central court at Versailles. He was one of 12 angry deputies sent to the king in 1787, to petition for the restoration of the province's privileges. In 1788 he gave up his military career when he was offered a command by Louis XVI, out of opposition to his suppressing the liberties which the kingdom of France
had accorded Brittany on their union, and so was imprisoned in the Bastille
on 15 July that year, making him a popular hero. He was freed a month later, but would give up his ideas. Initially he welcomed the Revolution which came soon afterwards, but at the Estates General
of 1789 he was indignant to see the Breton nobility succumbing to the pretensions of the Third Estate. Excited to resistance, he provoked a refusal to send representatives to the Estates, saying that he did not want this ancient nobility to bend over itself to become a double representation of the people. Finally, having made this chivalrous protest, they signed it in the blood of the Breton nobles, against the Ministry's anti-monarchist innovations.
, were as a simply defensive Association against the factious crowd, robbers or criminals, but as the Republicanism
became more radical in Paris
, and as foreign war became increasingly inevitable, the association radicalized in the early 1792, now favoring armed struggle.
Back in Britain
, La Rouërie received powers granted to him by the Comte d'Artois:
Thereafter, the association also received the support of Count of Provence, who in the meantime had also emigrated. The 4 October 1791, he wrote:
La Rouërie then begin to organize the association. In each City bishopric, were placed six commissioners and a secretary of the association from the three orders. Administration was provided by two secretaries: Deshayes and Loaisel. The treasurer of the association was André Désilles. Thomazeau, of Saint-Malo
, was responsible for stewardship. Two men, Henry, innkeeper at Saint-Servan
and Vincent were charged with links to Jersey
. The partners received the delivery, through England, of silver, 6600 guns, powder, 300 complete uniforms and 4 Cannon
.
They raised troops; recruitment of volunteers was organized; measures were taken to build support garrisons of the National Guard. He was scheduled to address the ranks, by the number of men, so that, for example, twenty men of arms will be taught, thirty, will be sub-lieutenant, forty, lieutenant, etc.., all without making distinctions based on the nobility of any volunteer.
La Rouërie now found support among the population of Brittany, which was very disappointed with the Revolution, after having first been in favor, and strongly opposed to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy
.
La Rouërie was Catholic
, too, although not practicing, he criticized the Civil Constitution of clergy, and prepared a the manifesto of the association:
He also argued that since the abolition of the States of Brittany, poverty had increased, and taxes were now three times higher.
La Rouërie also took with him three aides de camp: Aimé Picquet du Boisguy
, aged only fifteen years, of Picot Limoëlan, father of Joseph Picot de Limoëlan and his cousin Gervais Marie-Eugène de La Rouërie Tuffin, became liaison officer of Fontevieux. Of other nobles, who later can be distinguished in the wars of the Chouannerie
who joined the association in Brittany, included: Amateur-Jérôme Le Bras des Forges de Boishardy, Charles de La Bourdonnaye Severus, Toussaint du Breil de Pontbriand, Vincent de Tinténiac
Sebastián de La Hague Silz, Louis Pontavice of the brothers Charles and Louis-Edouard-Joseph de La Haye-Saint-Hilaire, Auguste de Bonteville Hay, and the Prince of Talmont. If the common people, like Pierre Guillemot, had joined the Association, the majority of members were, however, from the aristocracy.
La Rouërie and Noyan had also attempted to write a manifesto, to present the claims of the association:
The other manifesto presented to the Count d'Artois, at the end of the year 1791 began:
On 20 April 1792, the Kingdom of the French (1791–1792)
declared war on the archduchy of Austria
, and Holy Roman Empire
. They received the same day, the support of the Kingdom of Prussia
and the Army of Émigré
s, the first coalition
against Revolutionary France was formed.
The Breton Association was ready for battle, the numbers were strong, with 10,000 men.
was the Misedon Forest. This forest was the hideout of John Cottereau,said Jean Chouanand his men who took the name Chouans. Cottereau and his companions had revolted on 15 August 1792 against the revolutionaries in Saint-Ouen-des-Toits
. Since they had organized various helping hands against the Patriots. There is no evidence that La Rouërie and John Chouan had met, or that he had been recruited by the Association, but La Rouërie remained for three months Launay-Villiers
until early in September. La Rouërie might ignore the disturbances that shook the Mayenne at that time.
At this time in Bourgneuf-la-Forêt, there was a battle between the Chouans the revolutionaries. They were beaten with loss of 18 dead. The sources reported that an unknown royalist appeared suddenly during the battle, took command of Chouans and would be withdrawn once the victory gained. Although this story appears in part legendary, and magnified by the royalist authors, the presence near the head of the Breton Association did think that the man in question could be La Rouërie.
, as Claude Basiri later wrote:
He had adopted the false name of Gasselin and was accompanied by only Loaisel Fricandeau, his secretary, and Saint-Pierre, one of his servants.
The 12 January 1793, after galloping around the forest of La Hunaudaye, la Rouerie and his two companions went to seek refuge near GuyoMarch The castle, which belonged to the family of the same name in the parish of Saint-Denoual
. It had snowed that day, and Saint-Pierre was suffering from fevers.
Monsieur de La Guyomar was a member of the Association and had already hosted la Rouerie three times during the previous month. They were housed in a room of the castle, but the state of Saint-Pierre is not improving. The next day, Loaisel Morel fetched a surgeon at Plancoët
. On January 18 Saint-Pierre was healed, but the la Rouerie in turn fell ill on January 19. The recalled Guyomar Dr. Morel, then as a precautionary measure, sent for Dr. Taburet of Lamballe
. Suffering from chills, and severe coughing, he actually had pneumonia
.
On January 24, the National Guard
of Lamballe
made a raid on the castle of GuyoMarch Alerted by a neighbor, La Guyomar hid the marquis at the Gouhandais, a farm, located some hundred meters from the castle. The Republicans did not discover anything, but this treatment could not improve the health status of la Rouerie.
The next day, Schaffner and Fontevieux came to GuyoMarch They brought with them a newspaper from which they had learned of the execution of Louis XVI
on January 21. But the partners decided not to disclose the death of the King to the Marquis, saying that this would aggravate the fever. In spite of the episode of the previous evening, they maintained hope for his recovery. La Rouerie, however, asked to read the newspaper, because he wanted news of the trial of the king
. It was his servant Saint Pierre who asked, but the Marquis sensing perhaps that he was hiding something, asked Saint Pierre to fetch him a drink. He left the newspaper in the room, which La Rouerie read, and learned the death of Louis XVI.
La Rouerie then had a crisis of delirium, he jumped out of bed, dressing, said he would leave, but collapsed totally weakened. For three days, he lay dying, alternating between prostration
, delirium
, and unconsciousness. A third doctor, Lemasson, was dispatched but cound not do anything.
La Rouerie died on 30 January 1793, at four thirty in the morning.
A total of 27 Lalligand prisoners were led to Paris
to be judged. The trial opened on 4 June 1793, and ended on 18 June 1793. At the end of the trial thirteen defendants were acquitted, two were sentenced to deportation, and the gardener Perrin, and the doctor Lemasson who sent to Bicêtre, were executed 26 June 1794 at the Prisons of the Reign of Terror
., Twelve others were sentenced to death: Mr. and Mrs. La Guyomar, Louis du Pontavice the Chauvin, Madame de la Flonchais, Morin de Launay, Locquet Granville Jean Vincent, Groult La Motte, of Limoëlan Picot, Georges de Fontevieux and Thérèse de Moëlien. They were all executed on the same day.
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
cavalry officer who served under the American flag during the American War of Independence
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. He was promoted to brigadier general after the Battle of Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
. He is also known as one of the early leaders of the Breton Association
Chouannerie
The Chouannerie was a royalist uprising in twelve of the western departements of France, particularly in the provinces of Brittany and Maine, against the French Revolution, the First French Republic, and even, with its headquarters in London rather than France, for a time, under the Empire...
(the Chouannerie) during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
.
Military career
Destined for a military career from his earliest years, his impetuous temperament soon brought him to public attention. He spent a stormy, riotous and rebellious youth, in and around the French royal court, serving as an officer in the gardes françaisesGardes Françaises
The Gardes Françaises was one of the two non-ceremonial infantry regiments in the "Maison du Roi" of the French Army under the Ancien Régime. The other regiment was the Gardes Suisses, which made the Gardes Françaises the only one recruited from France.-History:The regiment was created in 1563 by...
. Infatuated with an actress (Mademoiselle Fleury
Mademoiselle Fleury
Marie-Anne-Florence Bernardy-Nones , known as Mademoiselle Fleury , was a Belgian actress...
), he was thwarted in his intention of marrying her and met his rival, the count of Bourbon-Busset
Bourbon-Busset
The Bourbon-Busset family is an illegitimate branch of the House of Bourbon, being thus agnatic descendants of the Capetian dynasty. Historically they have been regarded as non-dynastic since decisions rendered by Louis XI of France....
, in a duel. He thus fell into disgrace with the king and, ejected from the gardes, took poison and went to la Trappe
La Trappe Abbey
La Trappe Abbey or La Grande Trappe is a monastery in Soligny-la-Trappe, Orne, France, and the house of origin of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance , Reformed Cistercians or Trappists, to whom it gave its name.-History:The site of the famous La Trappe Abbey was for centuries...
to die. However, his friends met him there and prevented his suicide. His family then made him return to Fougères
Fougères
Fougères is a commune and a sub-prefecture of the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany, in north-western France.-Sights:Fougères' major monument is a medieval stronghold built atop a granite ledge, which was part of the ultimately unsuccessful defence system of the Duchy of Brittany against...
, though he did not remain there long.
American Revolution
At the end of 1776, he embarked at NantesNantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
to join the Americans in their fight for independence. The Morris, the ship in which he crossed the Atlantic, was attacked by 3 British ships on its arrival. It was sunk in Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
(Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
), but La Rouërie succeeding in getting to the shore, albeit completely naked and with only 3 surviving servants.
Under the orders of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, he became colonel Armand and recruited volunteers, paid from his own pocket. Pulaski's Legion
Pulaski's Legion
Pulaski's Legion was raised on March 28, 1778 at Baltimore, Maryland under the command of Kazimierz Pułaski for service with the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The Legion consisted of one troop of lancers, two troops of dragoons and 200 light infantry soldiers...
, initially named after its commander, was renamed the 1st Partisan Corps (or Armand's Partisan Corps or Armand's Legion
Armand's Legion
Armand's Legion was formed on June 25, 1778 at Boston, Massachusetts under the command of Colonel Charles Armand Tuffin for service with the Continental Army. The Legion was recruited primarily from foreign volunteers to the American Revolution. It was reorganized and renamed the 1st Partisan Corps...
) after Pulaski's death at the end of 1779. Made up of infantry and cavalry, this corps of foreign volunteers fluctuated between 3 and 5 companies strong.
Made a general in 25 June 1778, he took part in the battles of New York, Monmouth
Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
, Short Hills
Battle of Short Hills
The Battle of Short Hills was a conflict between a Continental Army force commanded by Brigadier General William Alexander , and an opposing British force commanded by Lieutenant General William Howe...
, Brandywine
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of the Brandywine or the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was fought between the American army of Major General George Washington and the British-Hessian army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777. The British defeated the Americans and...
, Whitemarsh, the Campaign in Virginia, and the Siege of Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
. In 1781, Colonel Armand returned to France to re-equip his troops, and was there made a knight of the Order of Saint-Louis. On 26 March 1783, he was made a Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in the American Army, though he left the American army on 25 November that year. He returned to France for good in summer 1784, covered in glory and retaining Washington's friendship (the pair continued to correspond), though he is less-remembered than Lafayette
Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette
Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette , often known as simply Lafayette, was a French aristocrat and military officer born in Chavaniac, in the province of Auvergne in south central France...
in treatments of French participation in the War.
As well as his military deeds, he also brought back American tulip trees
Liriodendron tulipifera
Liriodendron tulipifera, commonly known as the tulip tree, American tulip tree, tuliptree, tulip poplar or yellow poplar, is the Western Hemisphere representative of the two-species genus Liriodendron, and the tallest eastern hardwood...
(offered him by Washington), the first to be imported into Europe, and these are still to be seen at the château de Saint-Ouen-la-Rouërie
Saint-Ouen-la-Rouërie
Saint-Ouen-la-Rouërie is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany in north-western France.-Location:The commune lies northeast of Rennes and south of Mont Saint-Michel on the border with Normandy....
.
Fall of the monarchy, start of the Revolution
In 1785 La Rouërie married Louise-Caroline Guérin, marquise de Saint-Brice, a rich aristocrat. Shortly afterwards, his wife went mad and was treated by doctor Valentin Chevetel, with whom La Rouërie became friends, discussed politics and shared the same liberal political ideas.In the troubles leading up to the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, La Rouërie declared himself the champion of the nobility and parliament of Brittany, which was struggling against the central court at Versailles. He was one of 12 angry deputies sent to the king in 1787, to petition for the restoration of the province's privileges. In 1788 he gave up his military career when he was offered a command by Louis XVI, out of opposition to his suppressing the liberties which the kingdom of France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
had accorded Brittany on their union, and so was imprisoned in the Bastille
Bastille
The Bastille was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in the internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France. The Bastille was built in response to the English threat to the city of...
on 15 July that year, making him a popular hero. He was freed a month later, but would give up his ideas. Initially he welcomed the Revolution which came soon afterwards, but at the Estates General
Estates-General of 1789
The Estates-General of 1789 was the first meeting since 1614 of the French Estates-General, a general assembly representing the French estates of the realm: the nobility, the Church, and the common people...
of 1789 he was indignant to see the Breton nobility succumbing to the pretensions of the Third Estate. Excited to resistance, he provoked a refusal to send representatives to the Estates, saying that he did not want this ancient nobility to bend over itself to become a double representation of the people. Finally, having made this chivalrous protest, they signed it in the blood of the Breton nobles, against the Ministry's anti-monarchist innovations.
The Breton Association
Initially the partners, reaffirming citizenshipCitizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
, were as a simply defensive Association against the factious crowd, robbers or criminals, but as the Republicanism
Republicanism
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, where the head of state is appointed by means other than heredity, often elections. The exact meaning of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context...
became more radical in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and as foreign war became increasingly inevitable, the association radicalized in the early 1792, now favoring armed struggle.
Back in Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, La Rouërie received powers granted to him by the Comte d'Artois:
Statements of Monseigneur the Count d'Artois:
1) That it is far from any proposal to despotism, its principles are very opposed to arbitrary government, and that he wants the King to put the state to strengthen the foundations of the monarchy, and return the happiness of its people, the exercise of authority tempered by laws, and restore the true French Constitution, which can easily be reconciled with a reasonable freedom.
2) That the relief he promised freely, and that there is no reason to fear that restoring order would be purchased by the dismemberment of any part of the kingdom.
3 ) That can be counted one of the first effects of the revolution will be against returning the provinces to their rights, and making statements that the convocation will be held at the same time that the orderly return of the permit.
4) Let us spare tracks the rigor that it will be possible, we will employ force only to subdue the stubborn rebellion, and that those who at the time of the publication of manifestos, return of loyal subjects to the duty, with research on their past conduct, with the exception of the heads of sedition, and convicted of major crimes that can not be removed from the prosecution of justice, will be tried according to the laws and judicial forms
Thereafter, the association also received the support of Count of Provence, who in the meantime had also emigrated. The 4 October 1791, he wrote:
You can, sir, I assure Mr. Marquis de La Rouërie, that the Count of Artois's Plan of Association, that he has proposed for the good of the province of Brittany, I do not hesitate to join my approval to my brother and that, knowing how much the same sentiments, the principles and the wise leadership of Mr. De La Rouërie worthy of trust, I agree that my brother gave him. I urge him to continue to address this subject, that will certainly maintain our support.
Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo is a walled port city in Brittany in northwestern France on the English Channel. It is a sub-prefecture of the Ille-et-Vilaine.-Demographics:The population can increase to up to 200,000 in the summer tourist season...
, was responsible for stewardship. Two men, Henry, innkeeper at Saint-Servan
Saint-Servan
Saint-Servan is a town of western France, in Brittany, situated 2 miles from the ferry port of St Malo. It is renowned for its lovely shops and restaurants....
and Vincent were charged with links to Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
. The partners received the delivery, through England, of silver, 6600 guns, powder, 300 complete uniforms and 4 Cannon
Cannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
.
They raised troops; recruitment of volunteers was organized; measures were taken to build support garrisons of the National Guard. He was scheduled to address the ranks, by the number of men, so that, for example, twenty men of arms will be taught, thirty, will be sub-lieutenant, forty, lieutenant, etc.., all without making distinctions based on the nobility of any volunteer.
La Rouërie now found support among the population of Brittany, which was very disappointed with the Revolution, after having first been in favor, and strongly opposed to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a law passed on 12 July 1790 during the French Revolution, that subordinated the Roman Catholic Church in France to the French government....
.
La Rouërie was Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, too, although not practicing, he criticized the Civil Constitution of clergy, and prepared a the manifesto of the association:
They can not conceal that the discontent of the people is spreading more and more, as the distance that generally reflects constitutional for the priests, as also the general desertion of their church announce too clear, that the wish of the vast majority of the people is contrary to the laws that divided the church, and destroyed the French clergy, without any reason of public utility.
He also argued that since the abolition of the States of Brittany, poverty had increased, and taxes were now three times higher.
You can not hide any more, that the public misery worsens by the day, that trade languishes increasingly, that the resources of old people are emptied, and that he sees, however, in whispering, expenses increase, and religion to become for him the subject of a new tax.
La Rouërie also took with him three aides de camp: Aimé Picquet du Boisguy
Aimé Picquet du Boisguy
Aimé Casimir Marie Picquet, chevalier du Boisguy, sometimes spelt Bois-Guy, was a French chouan general during the French Revolution. He was nicknamed "the little general" by his men due to his youth...
, aged only fifteen years, of Picot Limoëlan, father of Joseph Picot de Limoëlan and his cousin Gervais Marie-Eugène de La Rouërie Tuffin, became liaison officer of Fontevieux. Of other nobles, who later can be distinguished in the wars of the Chouannerie
Chouannerie
The Chouannerie was a royalist uprising in twelve of the western departements of France, particularly in the provinces of Brittany and Maine, against the French Revolution, the First French Republic, and even, with its headquarters in London rather than France, for a time, under the Empire...
who joined the association in Brittany, included: Amateur-Jérôme Le Bras des Forges de Boishardy, Charles de La Bourdonnaye Severus, Toussaint du Breil de Pontbriand, Vincent de Tinténiac
Vincent de Tinténiac
Vincent de Tinténiac was a French general.-Life:Before the French Revolution he had served as a naval lieutenant but been dismissed. In 1791 he joined the Association bretonne of Armand Tuffin de La Rouërie, in which he served as a liaison officer between Brittany and Jersey...
Sebastián de La Hague Silz, Louis Pontavice of the brothers Charles and Louis-Edouard-Joseph de La Haye-Saint-Hilaire, Auguste de Bonteville Hay, and the Prince of Talmont. If the common people, like Pierre Guillemot, had joined the Association, the majority of members were, however, from the aristocracy.
La Rouërie and Noyan had also attempted to write a manifesto, to present the claims of the association:
The purpose of the association is to contribute primarily to the most peaceful return of the monarchy, the salvation of the rights of the province, the properties and honor
The other manifesto presented to the Count d'Artois, at the end of the year 1791 began:
We the undersigned citizens of the province of Brittany, believe giving the reasons for our present Association, First, declare unanimously that the dearest wish of our heart is to live free or die, as expressed by its organization, our former government and Breton prescribed Moreover, Article 6, Section 5 Chapter I of the Constitution of 3 September 1791, and our intention is only propagated to any principles or we allow any acts that can be taken for an indirect violation of the oath.
We declare more it must be clearly understood that he does from us obedience and fidelity that we owe it to the king, our legitimate sovereign, and we look on the contrary, as our enemies all those who reported abuse and its benefits his tender solicitude for his people, seeking to weaken its authority guardianship, reduce its powers and destroy his throne by the insinuation of criminal republican ideas, the spread of which it is our duty, as good and loyal subjects, to oppose with all our strength.
We declare that we finally adopt the unrestricted basic principle of the current constitution, which is embodied in Article 6 of the Declaration on the Rights of Man and Citizen that the law is an expression of general will, and that all citizens have the right to contribute personally to their training. And in this regard, we observe that the principle of the misfortunes that afflict public at this time, the kingdom, and particularly the province of Brittany, that comes from that, in practice, it was too disregarded this theory legislation, without which there is no more true public liberty, that there were born successively these dangerous factions that divide the kingdom and known under the names of republican factions, royalists, monarchiennes and others, thereby yet respect for the law has naturally weakened, as soon as one hand, the birth of all these factions, and the whispers of other people only too clear that she did not it for this expression of the general will, which only form the most imposing character.
We note, moreover, that it is mainly the province of Brittany, which can more than anything else to complain that violated to it the principle of the Bill of Rights that no law can be regarded as such if it is an expression of general will, it has been convened or represented regularly at the General Meeting in 1789, and it has nonetheless lost its ancient constitution and its rights, franchises and liberties, against the wishes of its three formal orders, and even the specific provisions of the vast majority of books of the Assemblies of sénéchaussées, trained to avoid and then replace the Constitution of the third convocation as political and indivisible ...
On 20 April 1792, the Kingdom of the French (1791–1792)
Kingdom of the French (1791–1792)
The Kingdom of France , officially known as the Kingdom of the French , was a short-lived constitutional monarchy that governed France from 3 September 1791 to 21 September 1792. De jure, the Kingdom of the French officially ended in 1814, after the restoration and when Louis XVIII became the De...
declared war on the archduchy of Austria
Archduchy of Austria
The Archduchy of Austria , one of the most important states within the Holy Roman Empire, was the nucleus of the Habsburg Monarchy and the predecessor of the Austrian Empire...
, and Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
. They received the same day, the support of the Kingdom of Prussia
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
and the Army of Émigré
Émigré
Émigré is a French term that literally refers to a person who has "migrated out", but often carries a connotation of politico-social self-exile....
s, the first coalition
First Coalition
The War of the First Coalition was the first major effort of multiple European monarchies to contain Revolutionary France. France declared war on the Habsburg monarchy of Austria on 20 April 1792, and the Kingdom of Prussia joined the Austrian side a few weeks later.These powers initiated a series...
against Revolutionary France was formed.
The Breton Association was ready for battle, the numbers were strong, with 10,000 men.
The chouannerie
Bordering the park of the castle Launay-VilliersLaunay-Villiers
Launay-Villiers is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France....
was the Misedon Forest. This forest was the hideout of John Cottereau,said Jean Chouanand his men who took the name Chouans. Cottereau and his companions had revolted on 15 August 1792 against the revolutionaries in Saint-Ouen-des-Toits
Saint-Ouën-des-Toits
Saint-Ouën-des-Toits is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France.-References:*...
. Since they had organized various helping hands against the Patriots. There is no evidence that La Rouërie and John Chouan had met, or that he had been recruited by the Association, but La Rouërie remained for three months Launay-Villiers
Launay-Villiers
Launay-Villiers is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France....
until early in September. La Rouërie might ignore the disturbances that shook the Mayenne at that time.
At this time in Bourgneuf-la-Forêt, there was a battle between the Chouans the revolutionaries. They were beaten with loss of 18 dead. The sources reported that an unknown royalist appeared suddenly during the battle, took command of Chouans and would be withdrawn once the victory gained. Although this story appears in part legendary, and magnified by the royalist authors, the presence near the head of the Breton Association did think that the man in question could be La Rouërie.
La Guyomarais
Meanwhile, la Rouerie, an outlaw, wandering in the countryside of BrittanyBrittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
, as Claude Basiri later wrote:
La Rouerie had not lost anything of his fervor. This indefatigable conspirator, resting rarely ran from castle to castle, committee to committee to revive hopes. Constantly wandering in the forests or the hills, still armed, he never took the battered roads, and often spent the night in caves, inaccessible to others, at the foot of an oak tree, or in a ravine. All were good hiding places for him, and he never does stay twice in the same place. One can imagine the difficulty to deal with a man so wise, that he was fearless.
He had adopted the false name of Gasselin and was accompanied by only Loaisel Fricandeau, his secretary, and Saint-Pierre, one of his servants.
The 12 January 1793, after galloping around the forest of La Hunaudaye, la Rouerie and his two companions went to seek refuge near GuyoMarch The castle, which belonged to the family of the same name in the parish of Saint-Denoual
Saint-Denoual
Saint-Denoual is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Saint-Denoual are called guinguenoualais.-External links:*...
. It had snowed that day, and Saint-Pierre was suffering from fevers.
Monsieur de La Guyomar was a member of the Association and had already hosted la Rouerie three times during the previous month. They were housed in a room of the castle, but the state of Saint-Pierre is not improving. The next day, Loaisel Morel fetched a surgeon at Plancoët
Plancoët
Plancoët is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Plancoët are called plancoëtins.-External links:* *...
. On January 18 Saint-Pierre was healed, but the la Rouerie in turn fell ill on January 19. The recalled Guyomar Dr. Morel, then as a precautionary measure, sent for Dr. Taburet of Lamballe
Lamballe
Lamballe is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.It lies on the Gouessant east-southeast of Saint-Brieuc by rail.- History :...
. Suffering from chills, and severe coughing, he actually had pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
.
On January 24, the National Guard
National Guard (France)
The National Guard was the name given at the time of the French Revolution to the militias formed in each city, in imitation of the National Guard created in Paris. It was a military force separate from the regular army...
of Lamballe
Lamballe
Lamballe is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.It lies on the Gouessant east-southeast of Saint-Brieuc by rail.- History :...
made a raid on the castle of GuyoMarch Alerted by a neighbor, La Guyomar hid the marquis at the Gouhandais, a farm, located some hundred meters from the castle. The Republicans did not discover anything, but this treatment could not improve the health status of la Rouerie.
The next day, Schaffner and Fontevieux came to GuyoMarch They brought with them a newspaper from which they had learned of the execution of Louis XVI
Execution of Louis XVI
The execution of Louis XVI by means of the guillotine took place on 21 January 1793 at the Place de la Révolution in Paris. It was a major event of the French Revolution...
on January 21. But the partners decided not to disclose the death of the King to the Marquis, saying that this would aggravate the fever. In spite of the episode of the previous evening, they maintained hope for his recovery. La Rouerie, however, asked to read the newspaper, because he wanted news of the trial of the king
Trial of Louis XVI
The trial of Louis XVI was a key event of the French Revolution. It involved the trial of the former French king Louis XVI before the National Convention and led to his execution.- 10–11 December 1792 :The trial began on Camel 10 December...
. It was his servant Saint Pierre who asked, but the Marquis sensing perhaps that he was hiding something, asked Saint Pierre to fetch him a drink. He left the newspaper in the room, which La Rouerie read, and learned the death of Louis XVI.
La Rouerie then had a crisis of delirium, he jumped out of bed, dressing, said he would leave, but collapsed totally weakened. For three days, he lay dying, alternating between prostration
Prostration
Prostration is the placement of the body in a reverentially or submissively prone position. Major world religions employ prostration either as a means of embodying reverence for a noble person, persons or doctrine, or as an act of submissiveness to a supreme being or beings...
, delirium
Delirium
Delirium or acute confusional state is a common and severe neuropsychiatric syndrome with core features of acute onset and fluctuating course, attentional deficits and generalized severe disorganization of behavior...
, and unconsciousness. A third doctor, Lemasson, was dispatched but cound not do anything.
La Rouerie died on 30 January 1793, at four thirty in the morning.
End of the Association
From the reports of Chevetel, Lalligand did arrest several members of the Breton conspiracy. He also discovered papers buried by Désille. But most associates avoided detection, because Thérèse de Moëlien burned the list of members of the Association, shortly after the death of la Rouerie.A total of 27 Lalligand prisoners were led to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to be judged. The trial opened on 4 June 1793, and ended on 18 June 1793. At the end of the trial thirteen defendants were acquitted, two were sentenced to deportation, and the gardener Perrin, and the doctor Lemasson who sent to Bicêtre, were executed 26 June 1794 at the Prisons of the Reign of Terror
Prisons of the Reign of Terror
Prisons of the Reign of Terror indicates a process set up under the Reign of Terror, inaugurated after the lawsuit of the dantonists, then set up in a systematic manner, after the vote of the Law of 22 Prairial...
., Twelve others were sentenced to death: Mr. and Mrs. La Guyomar, Louis du Pontavice the Chauvin, Madame de la Flonchais, Morin de Launay, Locquet Granville Jean Vincent, Groult La Motte, of Limoëlan Picot, Georges de Fontevieux and Thérèse de Moëlien. They were all executed on the same day.
External links
- "Armand Tuffin de La Rouërie", in Louis-Gabriel Michaud, Biographie universelle ancienne et moderne : histoire par ordre alphabétique de la vie publique et privée de tous les hommes avec la collaboration de plus de 300 savants et littérateurs français ou étrangers, 2nd edition, 1843–1865