DAVOUT (not DAVOCST, as commonly written), Louis NICOLAS, a French marshal, was b. 10th May, 1770, at Annoux, in the old province of Burgundy; was edneated along with Bonaparte at the military school of Brienne; and in 1785, became sub-lieut. in a cavalry regiment. During the revolutionary wars, he rose to the rank of gen. Ho accompanied Bonaparte to the cast, where he mainly contributed to the victory at Aboukir, and otherwise distinguished himself both in upper and lower Egypt. On his return to France, he was named general of division in 1800. commander-in-ehief of the consular grenadier guards in 1801, and marshal of the empire in 1804. In the campaigns of 1805, 1806, and 1807, he acted a brilliant part in the great victories obtained by the French at Ulm, Austerlitz, Jena, Auerstadt, Eylau, and Friedland. In reward of his bravery, Bonaparte created him duke of Auerstadt (July 2, 1808). On the renewal of the war with Austria in 1809, D.'s star was again in the ascendant, and he was created prince of Eckintihl for his services at the battle of Eckmilhl. At Wagram, he per formed prodigies of valor. Appointed governor of Poland, he ruled that country in a spirit of the harshest despotism, and provoked the reproaches of the emperor, but, never theless, did not change his system. In the Russian campaign of 1812, he gathered
fresh laurels on the fields of 3lobilow and Borodino. After the retreat from Moscow, D. became governor-general of the Manse towns, and established himself at Hamburg, where he gallantly maintained himself till the first restoration of the Bourbons. On the return of Bonaparte from Elba, D. was appointed war-minister, and in this office showed a remarkable genius for the rapid organization of troops and supplies. After the battle of Waterloo, he received the command of the relics of the French army under the walls of Paris. He would have continued the contest, had lie not been ordered by the provisional government in the capital to conclude a military convention with tho allies. In 1819, he was made a peer of France. His death took place .Juno 1, 1823. Firmness of character and dauntless courage were D.'s leading characteristics; but his military severities often went the length of harshness, and even cruelty, while his rapacity had in it something akin to barbarism.
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