LANNES, JEAN, Duke of Montebello and Marshal of France, was born at Lectoure in Guienne, on the Ilth of April 1769. He was born of bumble parents, and was at first brought up to the trade of a dyer, which he quitted in 1792 to join a battalion of volunteers raised in the department of Gen, of which he soon became serjeant-major. Ills first campaign was with the army employed on the frontiers of the Pyrenees, where his resolute character and aoldier-like deport. went obtained him a great ascendancy over his comrades. His mili tary talents were soon discovered and appreciated, and by the suffragee of the army be rose so rapidly in command, that at the close of the year 1793 he had attaiucd the rank of 'chef do brigade,' which nearly corresponds to that of major among the needled, troops. After the political crisis of the 9th Therinidor (July 27th) 1794, be partook in the disgrace of the Generals Bonaparte slid Massenet on account of their connection with the younger Ilobespierre; lie then retired to Paris, where he formed an acquaintance with those two distinguished commanders, whose future glories he was destined to share. His calm end daring chsract r (specially attracted the notice of Bonaparte, who employed him in the affair of the Sections [BONAPARTE), and be afterwards with him joined the army of Italy. After the victories of Montenotte and Millesinice April 26th 1796, where he greatly distinguished himself, Lannes was made colonel of the thirty-second demi-brigade. Among his many daring exploits iu this celebrated campaign, at the crossing of the river l'o he was the first with a few grenadiers to arrive at the opposite bank ; and likewise, on the bridge of Lodi, he was foremost in effecting the perilous passage. In 1737 be became general of brigade, in which capacity he served with dis tinction till the signing of the treaty of Campo Formic.. He after wards formed part of the expedition to Egypt, where lie rose to the rank of a general of division, and maintained his high reputation. He greatly contributed to the victory gained by the French at Aboukir, and was dangerously wounded at the siege of Acre.
'When Bonaparte determined upon leaving Egypt, Lemma was one of the generals choaeu to accompany him to France [BONAPAETE Ktrazuj, where he rendered him material assistance in the revolu tion of the 18th Brumaire (November 9th) 1799, and as a recompense for his services on that occasion ho was named commander of the Consular guard. lie was afterwards employed in the south of France,
at the bead of the ninth and tenth military divisions, to suppress the insurgent Jacobin'. From thence he was recalled by the First Consul, in the year 1500, to join the expedition to Italy, and ho shared the dangers and labour which the French army underwent in crowing the Great St. Bernard. In this passage Lannes commanded the advanced guard, and on the 17th of May he arrived at Chiltillon, where he attacked and defeated a corps of 5000 Austrians. On the 12th of June was fought the important battle of Montebello, in which the Austriens were signally defeated, and 5000 prisoners and six pieces of cannon were taken. The Impression made on the mind of Napoleon of Lamle.' skill and courage on this occasion wan so great, that, some years afterwards, 31ontebello was tho title chosen for the dukedom to which he was raised. After the battle of Marengo, in which ho likewise greatly distinguished himself, he received a sabre of honour, and was selected to present to the government at Paris the standards that had been taken from the Austrians.
In 1801 he was sent to Lisbon by the First Censel in tho capacity of ruiniater-plenipotentiary of France; and his determined bearing obtained from the feeble government of Portugal every measure which Napoleon 1. at that time required. Several characteristic traits of General detainee' behaviour at the oourt of Lisbon are to be found In the interesting Memoirs of the Duchess of Abrantee (Madame Juliet), whose husband was sent to supersede him as ambassador. On his return from Portugal in 1804, Napoleon, who was now emperor, created him Marshal of the Empire, and afterwards Duke of Montebello. In the Austrian campaign of 1S05 Lannon was appointed to the chief command of the left wing of the French army, and was prevent at the battle of Wertingen, and at the taking of Braunau (October 29th 1S05). In the decisive battle of Austerlitz, December 2nd 1805, where be manifested his usual courage and gave proof of increased skill and lodgment, he had two of his aide! de-camp killed by hie side.