Lannes, Marshal J., Duc de Montebello (1769-1809). Jean Lannes, born to a farming family in the Gers in 1769, was elected second lieutenant in a volunteer battalion in 1792, learnt his trade fighting the Spaniards, and was a colonel in 1794. In Italy in 1796 his outstanding dash brought him to Bonaparte's (see Napoleon) attention and earned him promotion to general. He served with Bonaparte in Egypt (see Egyptian expedition, French), becoming commander of the Consular Guard after the Brumaire coup.
Lannes led the advance guard into Italy in 1800 and distinguished himself in the campaign. A loan from Augereau saved him from punishment for unauthorized expenditure on the Guard, but he had to relinquish command. He represented France in Portugal in 1801-4, and was appointed marshal in 1804. Lannes shone as a corps commander in the Austerlitz campaign, and in 1806 routed Prince Louis of Prussia at Saalfeld, going on to triumph at Jena/Auerstadt and Friedland.
Sent to Spain in 1808, Lannes reduced Saragossa after a terrible siege. He then commanded a corps of the Army of Germany, leading the assault on Ratisbon with the words: ‘before I was a marshal I was a grenadier, and I am one still.’ Mortally wounded at Essling in May 1809, he was the first marshal to fall. Despite disagreements, usually over money, Lannes was devoted to Napoleon, who called him ‘the most distinguished general in my army, and a companion in arms for sixteen years who I considered my best friend’.
— Richard Holmes
