VICTOR, CLAITDE PERRIN, Duke of Belluno, and Marshal of France, was born, Dec. 7, 1764 at La Marche, in the department of Vosges, and at the age of 17 enlisted as drum mer in a regiment of artillery. lie received his discharge after eight years of service as ,a common soldier; but re-enlisted in 1702, and having fortunately attracted the attention of Napoleon by his able conduct at the siege of Toulon, 1793, was promoted, through his influence, at the close of that year. In the Italian campaigns of 1796-97, and 1799 1800, he commanded the vanguard, and aided by the favor of Napoleon, who threw opportunities in his way, displayed great skill and extreme daring on numerous occa sions. At Marengo he maintained such an obstinate resistance for eight hours to the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, that the expected re-enforeements had time to arrive, and convert the imminent victory of the Austrians into a crushing defeat. In 1806 he commanded, with distinction, a corps d'armge in the Prussian and Russian cam paigns, and though captured in 1807 by Schill's partisans, he was exchanged (fm Blucher) in time to win on the bloody field of Friedland, the baton of marshal of France. and the title of duke of Belluno. As governor of Berlin, he gained the esteem of the Prussians by his dignity and moderation; and in 1808 he was sent to command the first corps d'artnee in Spain. Here lie gained several victories, notably over Blake at Espinosa, and Cuesta at Medellin; but was defeated by Wellington in the obstinate bat tle of Talavera (q.v.), and again by sir Thomas Graham at Barrosa (q.v.). After a fruit less blockade of Cadiz he was ;walled to command the ninth corps d'armee in the Rus sian campaign of 1812; and thdugh occasionally defeated in his many contests with the Russians his general conduct and success were worthy of his previous high reputation. When the allies, iu overwhelming numbers, were closing round France, Victor appeared prominently in the fore-front of the defense, made a valiant stand at the passes of the Vosges, and retook St. Dizicr and Brienne at the point of the bayonet; but his neglect
ing to occupy the bridge of Montereau was a fault which Napoleon could not pass over, and he was deposed in favor of Gerard (q.v.). Notwithstanding this disgrace he per sisted in continuing with the army, and his zeal for his country suffered no diminution, as his energetic conduct at subsequent minor combats, and at the battle of Craonne, suf ficiently proved. A severe wound which lie received at this last battle brought his mili tary career to a close; and had it chanced to be mortal, the character of Victor would have stood out in bold relief on the page of history as an able soldier, a faithful friend and follower, and a sterling patriot. But though not mortal, in a physical sense, it brought death to his hitherto spotless reputation; for the sickening ardor of his profes sions of loyalty to the Bourbons, and his vile calumniations of the now fallen chief, to whom lie wholly owed his rise, displayed the foulest ingratitude. Victor's servile uttachmant to Louis XVIII., however, gained him a peerage and other boners; but the readiness with which lie accepted the presidency of the military commission appointed to try such of his old companions in arms as had deserted to Napoleon during the " hun dred days" brought upon him merited obloquy. His subsequent career requires bnt brief notice. He was minister of war in 1821-23; second in command in the Peninsula in 1823; and was afterward accredited as ambassador to the court of Vienna. The Aus trian court refused to receive him unless he laid aside his ducal title; and this ques tion of etiquette attracted so much attention, and gave rise to so much vehement discus sion that the good understanding of the two countries was for a time endangered. After this event, Victor took no part in public affairs, and died at Paris, Mar. 1, 1841.