MASSENA, mit'siVnit', ANDRE, Duke of Rivoli, Prince of Essling (175S-1817). A marshal of France, born at Nice, May 6, 1758. In his youth he was a ship-boy in a small vessel and after wards for fourteen years served in an Italian regiment in the pay of France, but left the service in 1789 because his birth precluded him from promotion. He was married and settled at Nice when the French Revolutionary wars began, but he at once volunteered and soon rose to be chief of battalion. In December, 1793. he was made a general of division. He distinguished himself in the Italian campaigns of 1794-95, particularly at Llano (November 23, 1795), and in 1790 was put in command of the advance guard of the Army of Italy. Ile won renown at Arcole (November 15-17, 1796) and Rivoli (January 14, 1797). Bonaparte called him 'the favorite child of victory.' Massima resigned his command on account of charges of rapacity, hut at the close of 1798 he was put in command of the army in Switzerland which operated against the allied Austrian and Russian forces. He defeated the Russians under Korsakoffat Zurich. September 25-26, 1799. In 1800 he was charged with the defense of Genoa, but after an heroic resistance of nearly two months was compelled to surrender the city to the Austrians in June. After the battle of _Marengo Bonaparte gave him the com mand of the Army of Italy. In 1804 he was made
a marshal of the Empire. In 181)5 he again com manded in Italy, ably manteuvring against Arch duke Charles. In 1800 he compelled the surren der of Gaeta, and was largely instrumental in placing Joseph 1:onaparte on the throne of Naples. After the battle of Eylau ( February 7-8, 1807) Alassi;na commanded the right wing of the French,army, and after the Peace of Tilsit (q.v.) he was made Duke of Rivoli. Ile subsequently distinguished himself in the sanguinary battle of .\spern (Essling), in 180y and at Wagram (q.v.) he commanded the left wing of the French army. For these services he was created Prince of Essling. In 1810 he was intrusted with the chief command in Portugal. and compelled the British and their allies to fall back to Lisbon; hut being unable to make any impression on Wel lington's strong position at Torres Vedras, he resigned his MIn:1nd and retired in semi-dis grace. His failure he attributed to the disobe dipuce of his lieutenants Ney, IZegnier, and Junot. During the Restoration he gave his adhesion to the Bourbons. Ile died April 4, 1817. Ilis .11(' moircs ( Paris. 1849-50), edited by General Koch, contain historical matter of interest and value. Consult also ToseIli, Notice biographique sur Mass,'na ( Nice, 1809).