Pierre François Bauduin

Baron of the Empire Pierre François Bauduin
Bauduin's family crest
Born	25 January 1768 Liancourt, Somme, France
Died	18 June 1815 Château d'Hougoumont, Waterloo, Belgium
Cause of death	Musket fire
Allegiance	First French Republic First French Empire
Service / branch	French Revolutionary Army French Imperial Army French Imperial Navy
Years of service	1792-1815
Rank	Brigadier general
Wars	French Revolutionary Wars War of the First Coalition Siege of Toulon Italian Campaign of 1796-1797 War of the Second Coalition Battle of Montebello Battle of Marengo Napoleonic Wars War of the Fifth Coalition Battle of Aspern-Essling French invasion of Russia Battle of Borodino War of the Sixth Coalition German campaign Battle of Bautzen Battle of Lützen Waterloo campaign Battle of Waterloo †
Awards	Legion of Honour Order of Saint Louis

Pierre François Bauduin (25 January 1768 – 18 June 1815) was a French general during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Bauduin, who served in the Russian and Italian campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars, commanded a brigade in Jérôme Bonaparte's division at the Battle of Waterloo, where he would die at Hougoumont.

Bauduin served in the French Revolutionary and Imperial armies for most of his career in the military, although he served in the French Imperial Navy from 1805 to 1807. During his time in the army, he became a Baron of the Empire in 1810 and received the Order of Saint Louis in 1814.

Military career

Bauduin joined the French Army on September 11 of 1792 as a sous-lieutenant. Throughout his career, he was promoted through the ranks of lieutenant, capitaine, chef de bataillon, colonel, and finally Brigadier General, in the years 1795, 1796, 1800, 1809, and 1813, respectively. In 1810, he was made a Baron of the Empire. He was made a member of the Legion of Honour in 1804, promoted to officer in 1809, and eventually became commander in 1812. From 1805-1807, he temporarily served in the French Navy under Pierre-Charles Villeneuve.

On August 11, 1813, he assumed command of Pyrenees-Orientales, a department in Occitania. He fought in numerous land engagements during his career, such as the Siege of Toulon, the Battle of Montebello, the Battle of Marengo, the Battle of Aspern-Essling, and the Battle of Borodino. Other battles he was involved in include the Siege of Pressburg, the Battle of Bautzen and the Battle of Lützen. He was injured by bullet wounds several times before, in his left thigh at Marengo, and in his right arm at Borodino. He also served in several divisions and armies, including the Grande Armée (including the 59th Line Infantry Regiment, 118th, 32nd, and 16th Line Demi-Brigades, 21st Infantry Division of the VI Corps, and 7th Provisional Division of the Young Guard Infantry) and the Army of Germany.

Death

Bauduin's commemorative plaque at Hougoumont

After Napoleon's abdication in 1814 Bauduin received the Order of Saint Louis from the Bourbons and was retained in the army. During the Hundred Days Bauduin returned to Napoleon. He commanded the 1st Brigade in Jérôme Bonaparte's division (6th) of the II Corps during the Waterloo Campaign, fighting at Quatre Bras.

He eventually was killed in the Battle of Waterloo during combat at Hougoumont. He was one of the first casualties, struck by musket fire from the windows of a gardener's house after he and his allies passed through an oak wooden gate. He was on a horse. This event took place sometime around 11:30 A.M, when an artillery battle was ensuing, and Jérôme and Bauduin were leading their soldiers through a forest. In 1978, a plaque was erected on the wall in front of which he was shot.

See also

• List of French generals of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars