AUGEREAU, PIERRE FRANcOIS CHARLES, DUKE OF CASTIGLIONE (1757-1816), marshal of France, was born in Paris in a humble station of life. In his early manhood he was a soldier of fortune, serving in the Russian, Prussian, and Neapolitan armies; but the events of the French Revolution brought him back to his native land. He served against the Vendeans and then joined the troops opposing the Spaniards in the south. There he rose rapidly, becoming general of division on Dec. 23 1793. His division distinguished itself in the Italian campaign, and under Bonaparte he had a share in the battle of Millesimo and in taking the castle of Cosseria and the camp of Ceva. At the battle of Lodi (May '0 1796), the turning movement of Augereau and his division helped to decide the day, and at Castiglione he rendered signal services. Bonaparte thus summed up his military qualities : "Has plenty of character, courage, firmness, activity; is inured to war; is well liked by the soldiery; is fortunate in his operations." In 1797 Bonaparte sent him to Paris to encourage the Directors, and it was Augereau and the troops led by him that coerced the "moderates" in the councils and carried through the coup d'etat of 18 Fructidor (Sept. 4 1797). He took no part in the coup d'etat of Brumaire, 1799, and did not distinguish himself in the Rhenish campaign which ensued. Nevertheless, owing to his final adhesion to Bonaparte's fortunes, he received a marshal's baton at the be ginning of the empire (May 19 1804). In the campaign of 18o5 he did good service around Constance and Bregenz, and at Jena (Oct. 14 1806) his corps distinguished itself. Early in 1807 he fell ill of a fever, and at the battle of Eylau he had to be supported on his horse, but directed the movements of his corps with his wonted bravery. His corps was almost annihilated and the marshal himself received a wound from which he never quite recovered.
When transferred to Catalonia, he gained some successes but tarnished his name by cruelty. In the campaign of 1812 in Russia, and in the Saxon campaign of 1813, his conduct was little more than mediocre. Before the battle of Leipzig (Oct. 16 to 19 1813), Napoleon reproached him with not being the Augereau of Castiglione, to which he replied, "Give me back the old soldiers of Italy, and I will show you that I am." In 1814 he had command of the army of Lyons, and his slackness exposed him to the charge of having come to an understanding with the Austrian invaders. Thereafter he served Louis XVIII., but after reviling Napoleon, went over to him during the Hundred Days. The emperor re pulsed him and charged him with being a traitor to France in 1814. Louis XVIII., when restored to the throne, deprived him of his military title and pension. He died at his estate of La Hous saye on June 12 1816. In person he was tall and commanding, but his loud and vulgar behaviour frequently betrayed the soldier of fortune.