Dorsenne's military career began in 1791, when he joined the army as a volunteer. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Armée du Nord and became captain, subsequently joining the army of the Armée du Rhin and then the Armée d’Italie. With the Army of Italy at the crossing of the Tagliamento (March 1797), Dorsenne's heroic conduct was noticed by commander-in-chief, gen...
General Dorsenne
Dorsenne's military career began in 1791, when he joined the army as a volunteer. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Armée du Nord and became captain, subsequently joining the army of the Armée du Rhin and then the Armée d’Italie. With the Army of Italy at the crossing of the Tagliamento (March 1797), Dorsenne's heroic conduct was noticed by commander-in-chief, general Napoleon Bonaparte, who promoted him to the rank of chef de bataillon (battalion commander). Bonaparte then enlisted Dorsenne's services for the Egyptian campaign, where the latter would display his usual bravery and would receive several battle wounds.
In 1805, after Napoleon created the Imperial Guard, Dorsenne was admitted in this elite unit as a major and displayed remarkable bravery at the battle of Austerlitz, which would gain him the rank of colonel, on 18 December 1805. Only a week later, he was once again promoted, to the rank of brigadier general.
By the end of 1806, Dorsenne had taken command of the prestigious Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard, which he soon had to lead in combat at the bloody battle of Eylau. An impeccable officer, Dorsenne was created count Lepaige in 1808. His elegance and robust physique brought him the nickname le beau Dorsenne (the handsome Dorsenne).
After serving briefly in Spain, when the War of the Fifth Coalition broke out, Napoleon called him back to the newly created Grande Armée d'Allemagne and was given command of the Old Guard Infantry Division. After fighting at the battle of Ratisbon, Dorsenne had two horses killed under him at the battle of Aspern-Essling, subsequently receiving a serious head wound from a cannon ball as he and his men were valiantly covering the retreat.
He was promoted general of division soon after the battle and, after being present at the great battle of Wagram, was once again sent to Spain. There he was named governor of Burgos, then of the Old Castile and took command of the French Army of the North from Marshal Bessières, who had to leave the peninsula. However, by the beginning of 1812
Dorsenne began to suffer from violent headaches, an effect of the severe wound he had received at Essling.
He was forced to come back to France, where he had to undergo a trepanation. General Dorsenne, comte Lepaige died soon after the operation. His named is inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
