SOULT, SOolt, NICOLAS JEAN DE DIEU, Dnke of Dalmatia (1769-1851). A French marshal. He was born at Saint-Amans-la-Bastide, Department of Tarn. He entered the army as a private in 1783. rose by his soldierly qualities, and in 1794 was made a general of brigade for his conduct at Fleurus. From 1794 to 1799 he was employed on the eastern frontier, and in the retreat after the defeat of Stockach (arch 25, 1799) Ile prevented the annihilation of the French army. Appointed general of division (April 21, 1799), and put under lfass6na, whom lie ably seconded in Switzerland and Italy, he was afterwards ap pointed by Napoleon to one of the four colonelships of the consular guards and became an ardent sup porter of the First Consul. lie was created mar shal of France in 1804. He justified his ap pointment by his brilliant achievements in the subsequent campaign against the Austrians, especially at the battle of Austerlitz (December 2, 1S05), which he decided by piercing the Rus sian centre. He did good service in the Prussian campaign of 1806, took part in the battle of Eylau in 1807, and in the latter year was ap pointed governor of Berlin and created Duke of Dalmatia. Soult was next placed at the head of the Second Corps in Spain. pursued the re treating British forces under sir John Moore, attacked them at Corunna (January. 1809), and, though repulsed, forced them to abandon their baggage and munitions of war. lie then occu pied Oporto and Northern Portugal. but the sudden arrival of Wellesley made him retreat rapidly to Galicia. In September, 1809. he be came commander-in-chief in Spain. gained a bril liant victory at Ocaiia on November 19th, and at the commencement of the following year subdued Andalusia. In attempting to succor Badajoz, which he had captured and garrisoned, he was defeated by Beresford at Albuema (flay 16, 1511). After the battle of Salamanca and the
advance of the British on Madrid. Soult, on the rejection of his plans for transferring the theatre of war to Andalusia, demanded and obtained his recall. In 1813 he fought in Germany, hut when the news of the defeat of the French at Vitoria reached Napoleon Soult was restored to the command of the army of Spain. It was not in Spain. however, but in France, that the con test had to be waged; and the advantages were all on the enemy's side; nevertheless, by a sys tem of military tactics which has been universally admired. he neutralized the strategy of Welling ton, and reduced the campaign. during the seven months it lasted, to a mere trial of strength. Ile continued the struggle after the entry of the Allies into Paris, unsuccessfully opposing Wellington at Toulouse on April 10, 1814. He became an ardent royalist after the abdication of Napoleon, and was made Minister of War ; but on the return of the Emperor from Elba he abandoned Louis XVIII. and joined the Imperial army. After Waterloo he was banished and not recalled till May, 1819. He was finally restored to his honors. and took an active part in politics. In 182; he was created a peer of France, and under Louis Philippe he repeatedly held high State offices. In 1845 he retired from active duty. and in 1847 he was honored with the ap pointment of marshal-general of France. Soult passed the rest of his days at his residence of Soultberg. near Saint-Amans. His IV/noires were published. in part. by his son (3 vols., Paris, 1854). Consult also Salle", politique du warc'clial Soult (Paris, 1834).