COMMANDER // 1768–1812
Charles Gudin
Lifespan
1768 – 1812
Active service 1799–1812 — 3 battles across 3 wars; first command at age 31.
Profile
Charles-Étienne César Gudin de la Sablonnière was a French general who served during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. A schoolmate of Napoleon Bonaparte at the military school of Brienne-le-Château, Gudin made a career in the army of the ancien régime and the French Revolution. He was promoted to general of division in 1800 and obtained command of a division under Marshal Davout under the First French Empire. Gudin was widely regarded as one of the most capable officers in the Grande Armée and distinguished himself at the battles of Auerstaedt, Eylau, Eckmühl and Wagram, where he demonstrated his talents as a tactician. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Valutino during the Russian campaign on 19 August 1812.
Battles (3)
1799
1806
Battle of Jena–AuerstedtNapoleonic Wars · French Empire
1812
Battle of ValutinoFrench invasion of Russia · French Empire