GERARD, ETIENNE-31AURICE, Comte, marshal of France, was b. at Damvilliers, in Lorraine, on the 4th of April, ,1773. He enrolled as a volunteer in the second battalion of the Meuse, and served during the campaign of 1792-93 under Dumouriez and Jourdan, and afterwards accompanied Bernadotte on his embassy to Vienna. where he was the means of saving his master's life in the mg/ie that ensued on his arrival. After rising rapidly through the different grades of promotion, he was appointed colonel on Nov. 15, 1800, and in 1805 aid-de-camp to his friend Bernadotte. He specially distinguished himself at Austerlitz (1805), in consequence of which he was appointed general of brigade, at Halle (1806). Jena (1806), Erfurt (1806), Lintz (1809). and Wagram (1809). On the morning after this last battle, he received the title of baron of the empire. He took part both in the wars of the Spanish peninsula and in the Russian campaign; and in 1812 was made a general of division. Subsequently, Napoleon named him count of the empire. After the first restoration, he was named grand cross of the legion of honor, and chevalier of St. Louis. and received various honorable appointments. On the
return of Napoleon from Elba, Gerard joined him, and commanded the fourth corps, numbering 16,000 men. At the battle of Ligny, Gerard was opposite to the center of the Prussian position, which covered Ligny, and. was thus in the hottest of the fight.
On the morning of June 18th, Gerard was near Wavres, when firing was heard in the direction of Soignics, upon which a council was called, and if Gerard's advice had been taken, the battle of Waterloo might perhaps have had a different result. After the second restoration, Gerard was obliged to leave France, and did not return till 1817. He was elected a member of the chamber of deputies in 1822; he also took an active part in the revolution of 1830, and commanded the troops appointed to maintain order and tranquility in Paris. In 1831, Louis Philippe appointed Gerard a marshal of France, and gave him the command of the expedition to Belgium, in the course of which he distinguished himself by taking Antwerp in Dec., 1832. In 1835, he succeeded marshal Mortier as grand chancellor of the legion of honor. He died April 17, 1855.