Bessières, Napoleon's official, 1:32, De Agostini

Jean-baptiste Bessières, Napoleon's official, 1:32,  De Agostini

He began his military career in the Constitutional Guard of Louis XVI. He took part in the campaign of the Pyrenees in the War of the Convention. Asceded to captain, he passed to the French army of Italy, where he took part in the Battle of Rivoli. As chief of brigade he accompanied Napoleon on the expedition to Egypt, and had an outstanding performance at the site of San Juan de Acre and the Battle of Aboukir. Bessières participated in the Brumaire coup d'etat which granted him the rank of second commander of the Consular Guard.

He took part in the battle of Marengo. He was promoted to Brigadier General a month later, to Major General in September 1802 and to Marshal of the Empire in May 1804. He distinguished himself in all the important battles Napoleon fought in Central Europe: Austerlitz, Jena, Friedland, Eylau, Wagran, among other.

Sent to Spain during the War of Independence, it facilitated the entry of José I in Madrid by defeating General Blake and García de la Cuesta, at the Battle of Moclín in Medina de Rioseco. As a prize he received in 1809 the title of Duke of Istria.

He also participated in the campaign of Russia, as commander of the cavalry of the Guard: he covered with great effectiveness the withdrawal from Moscow. At that time he was considered by Napoleon as one of his best officers and his most faithful collaborator and friend.

In 1813 he received all the command of the French cavalry. His most notable success was the victory in the battle of Aspern-Essling, in which he ordered a furious charge that baffled the enemy.

On the eve of the battle of Lützen (Saxony) against the Prussians, while he was recognizing with a small detachment the Rippach gorge, he was mortally wounded. To prevent the spread of demoralization among his men, the news of his death was kept secret until after the end of the battle, which ended with victory for the imperial army.