Nicolas-François Roussel d'Hurbal, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Nicolas-François Roussel d'Hurbal

French General during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars

Date of Birth: 07-Sep-1763

Place of Birth: Neufchâteau, Grand Est, France

Date of Death: 25-Mar-1849

Profession: military officer

Nationality: France

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Viscount Nicolas-François Roussel d'Hurbal (1763–1849), was a French soldier during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars. He spent the better part of his military career in the service of the Habsburg Monarchy (1782–1811), fighting as a junior cavalry officer in the French Revolutionary Wars.
In 1804, before the outbreak of the War of the Third Coalition, he saw promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel and in 1807 he was promoted to Colonel and given the command of a Cuirassier regiment.
He led his regiment with distinction at the Battle of Aspern-Essling and won promotion to General-Major after the battle.
Weeks later, he led a Cuirassier brigade at the Battle of Wagram.
Retired in the Austrian army, he joined Napoleon in 1811, with the rank of Brigadier General.
He took part to the French Invasion of Russia, serving in the I Cavalry Corps of the Grande Armée.
By the end of 1812, he had gained promotion to General of Division.
Later, he took part to the campaigns of the War of the Sixth Coalition and swore allegiance to Louis XVIII, after the Bourbon Restoration in 1814.
After Napoleon's escape from exile and resurgence to power in France, Roussel d'Hurbal joined him again and was in command of a heavy cavalry division at the Battle of Waterloo.
He was then retired from active service and given a position as inspector general for cavalry. Roussel d'Hurbal was a recipient of the Legion of Honour, a Baron of the Empire (from 1813) and a Viscount from 1822.