D1TMOITRIEZ, CHARLES FRANcOIS, a French gen., was b. at Cambrai, 25th Jan., 1739, entered the army in 1757, and served in Germany during the seven years' war. On the conclusion of hostilities in 1763, D., who possessed a restless, adventurous genius, went from one country to another, seeking active employment. Under Louis XVI., he held the office of commandant of where he commenced the forma tion of a great naval establishment. As the revolution drew on, D. began to attach himself more closely to the popular party. In 1790, he became connected with the Jacobin club, and during the same year was appointed military commandant of lower Normandy. After holding for a short time the office of minister of foreign affairs, he became lieut.gen. in the army of the north, commanded by marechal Luckner. The allies were advancing in great force. By a series of bold and rapid maneuvers, D. pre vented his enemies from sweeping over the plains of Champagne, and finally took up his position at Grand-Pro. Succors quickly arrived, and the victory of Kellermann at Valmy compelled the invaders to retreat. It is generally admitted that by his admira ble strategic movements at this critical period D. saved France. A winter campaign in Belgium followed, and on the 5th and 6th Nov., 1792, D. overthrew the Austrians under the duke of Sachsen-Teschen and Clairfait at Jemappes. The campaign of 1793, which aimed at the complete conquest of the Netherlands, was opened with the siege of Maes tricht; Breda and other places were taken by the French; but at Neerwi tide, D. sus
tained a severe defeat from the Austrians under Coburg. D.'s Jacobinism had been cooling for some time, on account of the anarchy prevailing at Paris, 'and when com missioners were sent to remonstrate with him on account of his monarchical leanings, he told them nothing could save France from the horrors of anarchy but a constitu tional monarchy; D. then entered into. secret negotiations with Coburg, evacuated Belgium, and promised to exert himself on behalf of the Bourbon family. He was now accused of being a traitor, by the authorities of Paris; but when requested by the com missioners to proceed to the capital, and stand his trial, he answered by handing over the representatives of the people to the Austrians. He next endeavored, but in vain, to win the army over to his plan of marching upon Paris, and re-establishing the royal authority, and D. had to take refuge, accompanied by the due de Chartres, in the ranks of the enemies of France. The convention set a price of 300,000 francs upon his head. After wandering through many countries of Europe, he finally settled in Eng land, where he died an exile at Turville park, near Henley-upon-Thames, 14th Mar., 1823. Besides a multitude of pamphlets, D. wrote du General Dumouriez (Hamburg, 1796), and La Vie et les Memoires du General Dumouriez (3d edit., Paris, 1822-24).