Édouard Jean Baptiste Milhaud

Édouard Jean-Baptiste Milhaud (10 July 1766 – 8 January 1833) was a French politician, Général de Division, and comte d'Empire.

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French Revolutionary wars

Born in Arpajon-sur-Cère (Cantal) as the son of Louis Amilhaud and Marguerite Daudé, Milhaud was commissioned as an officer in 1789. Milhaud was elected to the National Convention and in the proces of Louis XVI he voted for the death of the king. He defended Jean-Paul Marat against the attacks of the Girondins. In 1793 he was send as a commissary to the armies of the Rhine and the Ardennes where he distinguished himself in his severity. Sent to the army of the Pyrenees, he was successful in aiding Dugommier in restoring order. He was recalled the next year and made a member of the military committee.

After the fall of Robespierre, Milhaud was threatened with arrest but saved from this fate by his colleagues on the military committee. His political role effectively over, he was recalled to the army and he became commandant of the 5th dragoons and was sent to the Army of Italy. Milhaud distinguished himself at Brenta and in the battle of Bassano. The following year he was again accused because of his role during the Terror but the Council of Elders decided not to act on the accusation. Milhaud took an active part in the conspiracy leading up to 18 brumaire. Promoted to general de brigade in January 1800 he was employed in the army of England and was made commander of the 8th military division in the Vaucluse.

Napoleonic Wars

During the War of the Third Coalition he served under Joachim Murat in the campaign leading up to the great battle of Austerlitz in which he took part. The next year on the outbreak of the War of the Fourth Coalition, Milhaud distinguished himself at Jena. At the end of 1806 he was promoted to general de division and in 1807 he distinguished himself at Eylau.

His performance brought him to the attention of Napoleon Bonaparte, and having already been awarded the Légion d'honneur, on 10 March he was made as a count. From 1808 until 1811 he fought in the Peninsular War. In November 1811 he was put on disponsability but in June 1812 he was recalled to active service and made commandant of the 25th military division.

In 1813 he commanded a cavalry corps at the Battle of Leipzig. Based on his experience with these commands in 1814 Milhaud became Inspector General of the cavalry. During the first Restoration he was given command of the 15th military division by Louis XVIII.

During Napoleon's Hundred Days, he supported Napoleon, and in the Waterloo campaign he commanded the IV Cavalry Corps. At the Battle of Ligny on 16 June 1815 with his curassier-divisions he broke the centre of the Prussian army and helped to create Napoleon's last victory. Two days later at the Battle of Waterloo 18 June his divisions took part in the general cavalry attacks on the allied centre which ultimately proved a failure.

After the second restoration Milhaud was banished by King Louis XVIII as a regicide. After the July Revolution in 1830, he was called back to France, but died on 8 January 1833 in Aurillac.

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