François-Joseph d'Offenstein
Encyclopedia
François-Joseph d'Offenstein (July 27, 1760 - September 27, 1837), Baron
of the Ist Empire
, was a French general and military commander during the Revolutionary
and Napoleonic Wars
.
, French
Alsace
, on July 27, 1760 to the butcher François-Joseph Offenstein and Catherine Reibel, he grew up in Alsace
during the French Ancien Régime
before joining the royal army at the age of 16 in 1777.
Major
in 1790, then Lieutenant Colonel
two years later, he was nominated at age 33 in July of 1793 Brigadier General
and thanks to his political support, he climbed to the rank of Major General
two months later to became the Commandant in chief of Neuf-Brisach
, nevertheless, a year later, in 1794, he had been relieved of his command by the leaders of Hentz
and Goujon
for having confused on a map a river with a road when he was assigned with a division of 18.000 men inside the Army of Moselle
. We may easily explain this strategic mistake by the fact his education was botched: indeed, although he was a Major General, he was not able to read correctly. That ignorance in some areas led him to be the abiding source of jokes (even if they were most of the time exaggerated) at the general staff. Despite it, Offenstein considered himself as a soldier and just a soldier. He never disputed a direct order.
Further to his demotion, he quit the Army. In 1796 when he was called back, downgraded to the rank of Brigader Chief
.
On July 15, 1804, Napoleon I of France
made him Officer de la Legion of Honor during the first awards ceremony of the Legion of Honor at the Invalides
of Paris
for his participation to nearly all the battles of the Rhine during the French Revolutionary Wars
and many fights during the French Consulate
.
In 1806, he joined the Grande Armée.
Thanks to his military experience and his faithfulness in France
, Napoleon, who liked his officer qualities, nominated him again, in 1807, at the rank of Brigadier General
of the Grande Armée
after his heroic acts during the battle of Heilsberg
. From 1807, he worked at the general-staff with the Marshal Brune
On June 26, 1809, Napoleon gave him the title of Baron
of the first Empire
. In that way, in 1809, his family name "Offenstein" became "d'Offenstein"
Offenstein died in 1837 at age 77 during the July Monarchy
.
----
Offenstein got married in 1803 with Marie Barbe Lamarcq and got two son : Guillaume François (1804–1865) and Eugène Auguste (1808–1863)
Offenstein has a family connection with the Pr. Paul Rohmer
(1876–1977), a French physician considered as the father of the modern paediatrics in the east corner of France.
During the Ancien Régime in France
During the French Revolutionary Wars
During the French Directory
During the French Consulate
During the First French Empire
During the Hundred Days
During the second Bourbon Restoration
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
of the Ist Empire
First French Empire
The First French Empire , also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France...
, was a French general and military commander during the Revolutionary
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
and Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
.
Biography
Offenstein was born in ErsteinErstein
Erstein is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region in France.-History:Erstein was known in Alsace in the Middle Age for its Benedictine Abbey...
, French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
, on July 27, 1760 to the butcher François-Joseph Offenstein and Catherine Reibel, he grew up in Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
during the French Ancien Régime
Ancien Régime in France
The Ancien Régime refers primarily to the aristocratic, social and political system established in France from the 15th century to the 18th century under the late Valois and Bourbon dynasties...
before joining the royal army at the age of 16 in 1777.
Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in 1790, then Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
two years later, he was nominated at age 33 in July of 1793 Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
and thanks to his political support, he climbed to the rank of Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
two months later to became the Commandant in chief of Neuf-Brisach
Neuf-Brisach
Neuf-Brisach is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.The town's name means New Breisach, referring to the German town Breisach, located on the other side of the Rhine....
, nevertheless, a year later, in 1794, he had been relieved of his command by the leaders of Hentz
Hentz
Several people have the surname Hentz:* Nicholas Marcellus Hentz, French entomologist who moved to the United States* Caroline Lee Hentz, American novelist* Charlie Hentz, American former professional basketball player...
and Goujon
Goujon
The Goujon was a French automobile manufactured from 1896 until 1901. A four-seater voiturette, it featured an air-cooled 3½ hp engine.-References:*David Burgess Wise, The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles, ISBN 0785811060....
for having confused on a map a river with a road when he was assigned with a division of 18.000 men inside the Army of Moselle
Moselle
Moselle is a department in the east of France named after the river Moselle.- History :Moselle is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
. We may easily explain this strategic mistake by the fact his education was botched: indeed, although he was a Major General, he was not able to read correctly. That ignorance in some areas led him to be the abiding source of jokes (even if they were most of the time exaggerated) at the general staff. Despite it, Offenstein considered himself as a soldier and just a soldier. He never disputed a direct order.
Further to his demotion, he quit the Army. In 1796 when he was called back, downgraded to the rank of Brigader Chief
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
.
On July 15, 1804, Napoleon I of France
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
made him Officer de la Legion of Honor during the first awards ceremony of the Legion of Honor at the Invalides
Les Invalides
Les Invalides , officially known as L'Hôtel national des Invalides , is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building's...
of 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...
for his participation to nearly all the battles of the Rhine during the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
and many fights during the French Consulate
French Consulate
The Consulate was the government of France between the fall of the Directory in the coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799 until the start of the Napoleonic Empire in 1804...
.
In 1806, he joined the Grande Armée.
Thanks to his military experience and his faithfulness in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Napoleon, who liked his officer qualities, nominated him again, in 1807, at the rank of Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
of the Grande Armée
La Grande Armée
The Grande Armée first entered the annals of history when, in 1805, Napoleon I renamed the army that he had assembled on the French coast of the English Channel for the proposed invasion of Britain...
after his heroic acts during the battle of Heilsberg
Battle of Heilsberg
The Battle of Heilsberg took place on 10 June 1807, during the Napoleonic Wars.-Overview:On 24 May 1807, the Siege of Danzig ended when Prussian General Friedrich Adolf, Count von Kalckreuth capitulated to French Marshal Francois Joseph Lefebvre. With Gdansk secured, Napoleon was now free to turn...
. From 1807, he worked at the general-staff with the Marshal Brune
On June 26, 1809, Napoleon gave him the title of Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
of the first Empire
First French Empire
The First French Empire , also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France...
. In that way, in 1809, his family name "Offenstein" became "d'Offenstein"
Offenstein died in 1837 at age 77 during the July Monarchy
July Monarchy
The July Monarchy , officially the Kingdom of France , was a period of liberal constitutional monarchy in France under King Louis-Philippe starting with the July Revolution of 1830 and ending with the Revolution of 1848...
.
----
Offenstein got married in 1803 with Marie Barbe Lamarcq and got two son : Guillaume François (1804–1865) and Eugène Auguste (1808–1863)
Offenstein has a family connection with the Pr. Paul Rohmer
Paul Rohmer
Paul Rohmer was an Alsacian physician considered the father of modern pædiatrics in eastern France after World War I.-Life:...
(1876–1977), a French physician considered as the father of the modern paediatrics in the east corner of France.
Honour & Homage
- 15 June 1804 : Officer of the Legion of Honor
- 26 June 1809 : BaronBaronBaron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
of the first EmpireFirst French EmpireThe First French Empire , also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France... - A street of StrasbourgStrasbourgStrasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
is called "François-Joseph d'Offenstein" to honor him.
During the Ancien Régime in FranceAncien Régime in FranceThe Ancien Régime refers primarily to the aristocratic, social and political system established in France from the 15th century to the 18th century under the late Valois and Bourbon dynasties...
- 03.10th.1777 : Joins the "Régiment Royal Deux-Pont dragons", but resigns on 12.23rd.1786
- 01.01st.1787 : Re-enlists as grenadier in the "Régiment d'AlsaceAlsaceAlsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
-infanterie"
During the French Revolutionary WarsFrench Revolutionary WarsThe French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
- 06.14th.1790 : Major in the National Guard of ErsteinAlsaceAlsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
- 10.02nd.1791 : Elected as Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in the 1st battalion of voluntaries of the Bas-RhinBas-RhinBas-Rhin is a department of France. The name means "Lower Rhine". It is the more populous and densely populated of the two departments of the Alsace region, with 1,079,013 inhabitants in 2006.- History :... - 1792 : Elected as Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in the 1st battalion of voluntaries of the MoselleMoselleMoselle is a department in the east of France named after the river Moselle.- History :Moselle is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790... - 1793 : Elected as Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in the 1st battalion of voluntaries of the Rhine - 07.30th.1793 : Nominated Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
- 09.22nd.1793 : Nominated Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
- 10.04th.1793 : Nominated Commandant in chief of Neuf-BrisachNeuf-BrisachNeuf-Brisach is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.The town's name means New Breisach, referring to the German town Breisach, located on the other side of the Rhine....
- 05.09th.1794 : Assigned with a division of 18.000 men inside the Army of MoselleMoselleMoselle is a department in the east of France named after the river Moselle.- History :Moselle is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
. He served in SaarlouisSaarlouisSaarlouis is a city in the Saarland, Germany, capital of the district of Saarlouis. In 2006, the town had a population of 38,327. Saarlouis, as the name implies, is located at the river Saar....
before occupied TrèvesTrierTrier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
in GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He has been destituted by the leaders of HentzHentzSeveral people have the surname Hentz:* Nicholas Marcellus Hentz, French entomologist who moved to the United States* Caroline Lee Hentz, American novelist* Charlie Hentz, American former professional basketball player...
and GoujonGoujonThe Goujon was a French automobile manufactured from 1896 until 1901. A four-seater voiturette, it featured an air-cooled 3½ hp engine.-References:*David Burgess Wise, The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles, ISBN 0785811060....
for having confused on a map a river with a road. We have to notice that he has been given the rank of Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
despite the fact he was not able to read correctly. Further to that event, he has been unfited to service, nevertheless, in 1796, he has been called back by the army thanks to his military experience and his faithfulness in FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
During the French DirectoryFrench DirectoryThe Directory was a body of five Directors that held executive power in France following the Convention and preceding the Consulate...
- 06.28th.1796 : Nominated Brigader ChiefColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the "10th régiment d'infanterie de ligne", he made the battle of RenchenRenchenRenchen is a small city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, part of the district of Ortenau.-Geography:Renchen is located in the foothills of the northern Black Forest at the entrance to the Rench valley at the edge of the Upper Rhine River Plains....
, Rastadt, NeresheimNeresheimNeresheim is a town in the Ostalbkreis district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated northeast of Heidenheim, and southeast of Aalen....
, DillingenDillingen, SaarlandDillingen is a town in the district of Saarlouis, in Saarland, Germany. It is situated on the river Saar, approx. 5 km northwest of Saarlouis, and 25 km northwest of Saarbrücken. The Dillinger Hütte steelworks is located here....
, IngolstadtIngolstadtIngolstadt is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located along the banks of the Danube River, in the center of Bavaria. As at 31 March 2011, Ingolstadt had 125.407 residents...
, and GeisenfeldGeisenfeldGeisenfeld is a town in the district of Pfaffenhofen, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated on the river Ilm, southeast of Ingolstadt....
. Moreover, he commanded the defense of KehlKehlKehl is a town in southwestern Germany in the Ortenaukreis, Baden-Württemberg. It is located on the river Rhine, directly opposite the French city of Strasbourg.-History:...
(where he defeated the enemy). - 06.24th.1797 : Nominated Brigader ChiefColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the "77th régiment d'infanterie de ligne"
During the French ConsulateFrench ConsulateThe Consulate was the government of France between the fall of the Directory in the coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799 until the start of the Napoleonic Empire in 1804...
- 04.28th.1799 : Nominated Brigader ChiefColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the "44th régiment d'infanterie de ligne" - 07.31st.1799 : Nominated Brigader ChiefColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the "12th régiment de chasseurs", he served in Leibdingen and Luciensteig - 12.23rd.1802 : Nominated Brigader ChiefColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the "7th régiment de cuirassiers"
During the First French EmpireFirst French EmpireThe First French Empire , also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France...
- 09.23rd.1805 : Nominated ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the 2nd brigade of the division commanded by Charles Joseph de Pully inside the "armée d'Italie" - 11.22nd.1806 : Nominated ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Grande ArméeLa Grande ArméeThe Grande Armée first entered the annals of history when, in 1805, Napoleon I renamed the army that he had assembled on the French coast of the English Channel for the proposed invasion of Britain...
of Napoleon - 06.10th.1807 : Wounded during the Battle of HeilsbergBattle of HeilsbergThe Battle of Heilsberg took place on 10 June 1807, during the Napoleonic Wars.-Overview:On 24 May 1807, the Siege of Danzig ended when Prussian General Friedrich Adolf, Count von Kalckreuth capitulated to French Marshal Francois Joseph Lefebvre. With Gdansk secured, Napoleon was now free to turn...
- 06.25th.1807 : Napoleon named him Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in order to work at the general-staff with the Marshal Brune - 09.12th.1809 : Nominated commandant in chief of the Haute-MarneHaute-MarneHaute-Marne is a department in the northeast of France named after the Marne River.-History:Haute-Marne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
, and then of the Dordogne - 03.02nd.1814 : Military Attaché in the Impérial staff of Napoleon
During the Hundred DaysHundred DaysThe Hundred Days, sometimes known as the Hundred Days of Napoleon or Napoleon's Hundred Days for specificity, marked the period between Emperor Napoleon I of France's return from exile on Elba to Paris on 20 March 1815 and the second restoration of King Louis XVIII on 8 July 1815...
- 05.01st.1815 : Back in the ArmyArmyAn army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
, he was nominated Commandement of two regiments of lancers from the National Guard of the Haut-RhinHaut-RhinHaut-Rhin is a département of the Alsace region of France, named after the Rhine river. Its name means Upper Rhine. Haut-Rhin is the smaller and less populated of the two departements of Alsace, although is still densely populated compared to the rest of France.-Subdivisions:The department...
and the Bas-RhinBas-RhinBas-Rhin is a department of France. The name means "Lower Rhine". It is the more populous and densely populated of the two departments of the Alsace region, with 1,079,013 inhabitants in 2006.- History :...
, but after having scoffed at Napoleon, he was relieved from his commandement after only 10 days - 05.11th.1815 : Sent to SélestatSélestatSélestat is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.In 2006, Sélestat had a total population of 19,459. The Communauté de communes de Sélestat et environs had a total population of 35,397.-Geography:...
During the second Bourbon RestorationBourbon RestorationThe Bourbon Restoration is the name given to the period following the successive events of the French Revolution , the end of the First Republic , and then the forcible end of the First French Empire under Napoleon – when a coalition of European powers restored by arms the monarchy to the...
- 07.06th.1816 : Retired definitely from the Army even if he asked to rejoin the army
Source
- NDBA - Nouveau Dictionnaire de biographie alsacienne