Jean-Baptiste Bernard Viénot de Vaublanc
Encyclopedia
Jean-Baptiste Bernard Viénot, chevalier de Vaublanc, Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, was born on 17 September 1761 at Ouanaminthe
, Saint-Domingue, Cap-Haïtien and died in Lithuania on 19 December 1812. He was also the second younger brother of Vincent-Marie Viénot de Vaublanc.
With him, a work on military administration, due to be published, also vanished. Although he held the keys to the Empire's coffers, he died penniless and left no inheritance.
Ouanaminthe
Ouanaminthe is a city located in the Nord-Est Department of Haiti. It contains about 100,000 people including immediate areas. The Massacre River is located between Ouanaminthe and Dajabón in the Dominican Republic. The border crossing to Dajabón is one of the four chief land crossings to the...
, Saint-Domingue, Cap-Haïtien and died in Lithuania on 19 December 1812. He was also the second younger brother of Vincent-Marie Viénot de Vaublanc.
Biography
- Jean-Baptiste was raised in the Paris Military School.
- At 16 he returned to Saint-DomingueSaint-DomingueThe labour for these plantations was provided by an estimated 790,000 African slaves . Between 1764 and 1771, the average annual importation of slaves varied between 10,000-15,000; by 1786 it was about 28,000, and from 1787 onward, the colony received more than 40,000 slaves a year...
to take part in his first military campaignMilitary campaignIn the military sciences, the term military campaign applies to large scale, long duration, significant military strategy plan incorporating a series of inter-related military operations or battles forming a distinct part of a larger conflict often called a war...
. - He took part in the American War of Independence as a Lieutenant in the Saint-Domingue Volunteer Light-Infantry, a corps of French colonials from the Antilles.
- On the 12 of March, 1779, he took part in the siege of SavannahSavannahSavannah or savanna is a type of grassland.It can also mean:-People:* Savannah King, a Canadian freestyle swimmer* Savannah Outen, a singer who gained popularity on You Tube...
(Georgia) and in the engagements instigated by La Motte Picquet. - Jean-Baptiste was, among other French officers, thanked by the new American government with territorial concessions.
- Discharged on 6 March, 1780 on grounds of ill healthHealthHealth is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
. - BodyguardBodyguardA bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
in the Villeroy district from 28 September, 1783, 2nd Lieutenant in the Alps Light Infantry, 23 September 1784. - Lieutenant, 10th Light Infantry Regiment.
- Captain of the National Gendarmerie, 15 June 1791.
- Nominated Adjutant General, Chef de Bataillon, 18 May , 1792.
- Promoted to Adjutant General, Brigadier General by Pichegru, making him a part of the Army of the Rhine.
- Transferred to the 6th DivisionDivision (military)A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
, under General Reed. - In October, 1793, he is derobed by Jean-Nicolas Pache and then by Jean-Baptiste Bouchotte for being to lenient and of noble birth. He is still kept in his position by the representatives of the people.
- 7 June, 1794, he marries Marie-Charlotte Sophie Pion de Mieslot.
- On the 9th October 1794 he is again suspended from duty, this time under suspicionSuspicionSuspicion may refer to:*Suspicion , a feeling of distrust or perceived guilt for someone or something-Music:* "Suspicion" , recorded by Elvis Presley and Terry Stafford* "Suspicion" , a song by R.E.M....
of terrorismTerrorismTerrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
. - On the 15th January 1795 he is reinstated by the Sevestre representative.
- On 3 April 1795 he resigns his commission and settles in BesançonBesançonBesançon , is the capital and principal city of the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It had a population of about 237,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2008...
. - In May 1795 he and his godfather, Antoine Pion are arrested for their political activities.
- In March 1796 he is nominated the Administrator of the Central School of Doubs.
- Due to his lack of an identifiable rank he is commissioned as Revenue Inspector on the 7th of February, 1800 by the DukeDukeA duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
of Feltre for his "sincere integrity" and remarkable activity". He is sent to the Calvados dpeartment. - The position of RevenueRevenueIn business, revenue is income that a company receives from its normal business activities, usually from the sale of goods and services to customers. In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, revenue is referred to as turnover....
Inspector, a new position, was also known as "Guardian of the Treasure of the Grande Armée" and involved fiscal administration of the workforce, of sales and the administration of the soldiers of each army. The Revenue Inspector was under the responsibility of each Quarter Master General of each army. - In 1803 he was transferred to Montpellier, where his son, Vincet-Victor Henri Viénot de Vaublanc is born.
- In 1807 he participates in the Spain and Portugal campaigns, whereupon he is promoted, by Napoleon himself, to Revenue Inspector in Chief of the 1st Obesevation Corps of the Gironde, commanded by General Junot of the Army of Spain. The Army of Spain, reduced from 25,000 men to 1,500 since its departure from Bayonne, finally makes it to Lisbon on 30 November 1807.
- Jean-Baptiste is nominated a member of the Portuguese Council, presided over by General Junot, the Duc of Abrantès, where he performs secretarial duties.
- The Council of Portugal sets itself up at first in the Palace of Queluz, during the French occupation of Lisbon and then in the centre of the country during 1807-8, adhering to the Franco-Spanish Treaty of FontainebleauTreaty of Fontainebleau (1807)The Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed on 27 October 1807 in Fontainebleau between Charles IV of Spain and Napoleon I of France. The accord divided Portugal and all Portuguese dominions between the signatories. Individuals such as M. Izquierdo, councilor of Charles IV, and Don Manuel de Godoy were...
. - In 1812 he is named Revenue Inspector in Chief of the Grande Armée and begins preparations for the invasion of Russia. Compelled to be a part of the Russian invasion, despite protestations form Marshall Berthier and his family, Jean-Baptiste followed the Grand Armée into Russia, despite his failing health.
- As the retreat from RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
began, Jean-Baptiste saved a painting from the MoscowMoscowMoscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
fires and keeps it with his belongings. However, he was soon forced to proceed, on foot, sword in hand, despite fever and bloodsoaked feet. Nevertheless, Jean-Baptiste makes it to Gambinen in PrussiaPrussiaPrussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
, near VilniusVilniusVilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
, LithuaniaLithuaniaLithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, before finally succumbing to the ravages of war. In a letter intended for France he wrote: "What folly should be mine to have come this far, were it not the most valid reasons that drove me!"
With him, a work on military administration, due to be published, also vanished. Although he held the keys to the Empire's coffers, he died penniless and left no inheritance.
Sources
- Brevet d'inspecteur, Revue of February 7, 1800, a summary of his military campaigns.
- Cahiers Charles Fourier, numéro hors-série, 1995, pp. 68–69.
- Bouillet, Marie-Nicolas and Alexis Chassang. Dictionnaire universel d'histoire et de géographie contenant l'histoire proprement dite, la biographie universelle, la mythologie, la géographie ancienne et moderne. Paris, Hachette 1878.