Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815

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Michel Ney was one of 18 Marshals of France under Napoleon. He participated in the French invasion of and retreat from Russia in 1812 and earned himself the nickname of "Le Rougeaud, le Brave des Braves" (the bravest of the brave) from Napoleon. He was named the 1st Due d'Elchingen (1805) and 1st Prince de la Moskowa (1813) by Napoleon. Ney assisted in the effort to depose Napoleon, sided with the restoration of the monarchy and Louis XVIII. When Napoleon again assumed his position as Emperor, Ney originally sided with the monarchy, but later came to support Napoleon. After the final defeat of Napoleon, Ney was tried and executed.

From the description of [Letter] 1814 janv. 13, Nancy / Mar. & Pr. de la Moskowa. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 300034524

Michel Ney (1769-1815) s’engagea à 19 ans au régiment colonel général des hussards. Il se couvrit de gloire dans les guerres de la Révolution et de l’Empire, notamment à Ulm, Iéna, Friedland et surtout dans la Campagne de Russie. Il fut maréchal d’Empire, duc d’Elchingen, prince de la Moskowa. Les revers de la Grande Armée, en 1814, ne nuisirent pas à sa carrière. Il se rallia aux Bourbons et négocia avec eux les clauses de la première abdication de Napoléon. La Première Restauration le vit devenir gouverneur de la 6e division militaire et pair de France. Chargé d’arrêter Napoléon, il se déclara pour lui et lança, à Lons-le-Saunier, sa fameuse proclamation « La Cause des Bourbons est à jamais perdue ! » (14 mars 1814), principal acte d’accusation à son procès. À Waterloo, il se battit héroïquement. Le 24 juillet parurent les deux ordonnances royales relatives aux personnes compromises pendant les Cent-Jours. Mis en accusation, Ney fut condamné à mort et exécuté en décembre 1815. De son mariage avec Aglaé-Louise Auguié, il avait eu quatre fils : Léon (1803-1857), mari d’Albine Laffitte et père d’Eglé (future duchesse de Persigny) et de Michel-Napoléon de la Moskowa ; Aloys (1804-1854), époux de Marie-Joséphine Souham (en premières noces, baronne de Vatry), d’où Michel, 3e duc d’Elchingen, qui épousa Paule Heine, et Hélène, princesse Nicolas Bibesco ; Eugène (1806-1845) ; Edgard (1812-1822).

Information extraite de la notice des Archives nationals de France (FRAN_NP_050543)

Michel Ney, Marshal of France, Duke of Elchingen, and Prince of Moscow, was born in 1769 at Saarlouis, France. He was a soldier during the French Revolutionary Wars, rising quickly through the ranks to General in Napoleon's army in 1799. His rise was hastened by incredible bravery on several campaigns during the Revolutionary era. He was married to Aglae Auguie in a marriage that was arranged by Napoleon's wife, Josephine. Ney was most famous for his protection of the Rear Guard during the disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812. Napoleon called Ney the 'Bravest of the Brave, ' and gave him the titles of Duc d'Elchingen in 1808 and Prince de la Moskowa in 1812. Despite these honors, Ney was known to be reckless and to take offense easily. He had little interest in or knowledge of strategy and did not like politics. Upon Napoleon's banishment to Elba and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814, Ney was given a peerage by Louis XVIII because Ney overstated his role in convincing Napoleon to abdicate. Ney betrayed the Louis XVIII later that year when, after Napoleon's escape, Ney rejoined his former commander and assisted his return to Paris. Ney fought at Waterloo with Napoleon and after the loss was executed on December 7, 1815 by French authorities for his role in Napoleon's return.

From the description of Michel Ney letter, 1811 Aug. 30. (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 47137934

Marshal of France.

From the description of Letters signed (3) : Kirchain-Boland, Paris and Les Coudreaux, to various recipients, 1800 Jan. 2, 1814 May 12 and Sept. 14. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270861339

Michel Ney, Marshal of France, Duke of Elchingen, and Prince of Moscow, was born in 1769 at Saarlouis, France. He was a soldier during the French Revolutionary Wars, rising quickly through the ranks to General in Napoleon's army in 1799. His rise was hastened by incredible bravery on several campaigns during the Revolutionary era. He was married to Aglae Auguie in a marriage that was arranged by Napoleon's wife, Josephine.

Ney was most famous for his protection of the Rear Guard during the disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812. Napoleon called Ney the Bravest of the Brave,' and gave him the titles of Duc d'Elchingen in 1808 and Prince de la Moskowa in 1812. Despite these honors, Ney was known to be reckless and to take offense easily. He had little interest in or knowledge of strategy and did not like politics. Upon Napoleon's banishment to Elba and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814, Ney was given a peerage by Louis XVIII because Ney overstated his role in convincing Napoleon to abdicate. Ney betrayed the Louis XVIII later that year when, after Napoleon's escape, Ney rejoined his former commander and assisted his return to Paris. Ney fought at Waterloo with Napoleon and after the loss was executed on December 7, 1815 by French authorities for his role in Napoleon's return.

From the guide to the Michel Ney Letter, 1811 Aug. 30, (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Spencer, William Marvin, 1892-1984. Spencer Napoleonica collection, 1756-1975. Newberry Library
referencedIn Addington, Henry Unwin (1790-1870). Letters : to Lady Sarah Archer Amherst, 1812, June 20-1816, Aug. 31. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Michel Ney Letter, 1811 Aug. 30 The University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for SouthwestResearch
referencedIn Inventory of James Scott Melville Diary Ragan MSS 00108., ca. 1833 Cushing Memorial Library,
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Letters signed (3) : Kirchain-Boland, Paris and Les Coudreaux, to various recipients, 1800 Jan. 2, 1814 May 12 and Sept. 14. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Letter : Salamanca, to Monsieur le Payeur-général, 1810 Mar. 17. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Autograph letter signed : Montreuil, to M. Vogt, père, 1804 Aug. 5. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Draper, Lyman Copeland, 1815-1891,. Draper manuscripts: Rudolph-Ney papers, 1816-1890. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Melville, James Scott. Diary, ca. 1833. Texas A&M University, Evans Library & Annex; Main campus library complex
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Letter signed : Paris, to the Minister of War, 1815 Feb. 7. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Hoyt, William Henry. William Henry Hoyt papers, 1769-1957 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn W. B. O. Field portrait collection, ca. 1600-1900. Houghton Library
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Letter signed : Paris, to the Duc de Gaëta, 1811 Aug. 26. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Letter signed : Innsbruck, to the general commanding the Bavarian troops at Salzburg, 1805 Nov. 19. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Lafayette, Georges Washington Louis Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1779-1849. Letter from Georges Washington Motier, maquis de Lafayette, to unknown recipient : autograph manuscript signed, circa 1815 December 20. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Letter : Salamanca, to Monsieur le Payeur-général, 1810 Mar. 17. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. [Letter] 1814 janv. 13, Nancy / Mar. & Pr. de la Moskowa. Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Letter signed : Montreuil, to General Dutaillis, 1804 Apr. 2. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Fisher, Leonard Everett. Napoleon's marshal : the life of Marshal Ney : production material. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
referencedIn Weston, James A. (James Augustus), 1838-1905. James A. Weston papers, 1889-1894 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Clinard, J. Weston. The graves of Marshal Ney / by J. Weston Clinard. -- 1931 Dec. 12. High Point Public Library
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Document signed : Innsbruck, to the Minister of War, 1805 Nov. 28. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn French Revolution and Napoleon manuscripts, 1752-1882 [bulk 1788-1815] Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Allais, Louis Jean, 1762-1833. Napoleonic war scenes. Cornell University Library
referencedIn William Henry Hoffman Collection on Napoleon I, Napoleon I, William Henry Hoffman Collection on, (bulk 1789-1821), 1585-1913 John Hay Library, Special Collections
referencedIn Powell, William Stevens, 1919-. [Scrapbook of newspaper clippings on Peter Stuart Ney, 1936-1939] / William Stevens Powell. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Letter signed : Nancy, to the Director of Posts at Nancy, 1814 Jan. 12. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Du Pont, Pierre S. (Pierre Samuel), 1870-1954,. Acquisitions of Pierre S. du Pont, 1438-1921. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Fuller, B. A. G., 1879-1956. Autograph collection, 1620-1920 Houghton Library
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Michel Ney letter, 1811 Aug. 30. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
creatorOf Ney, Michel, duc d'Elchingen, 1769-1815. Autograph note signed : Paris, to the Minister of the Interior, 1814 Dec. 9. Pierpont Morgan Library.
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Place Name Admin Code Country
France
France
Subject
Occupation
Activity

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Birth 1769-01-10

Death 1815-12-07

French

French

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