Antoine Charles Louis de Lasalle
Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honor, Count of the Empire
Pronunciation:
Antoine Charles Louis de Lasalle (or La Salle) was born on May 10, 1775 in Metz, into a family of minor nobility.
A Hussard from 1797, he spent his entire career in this prestigious arm, taking part in the Italian campaign then Egyptian expedition, and distinguishing himself at Austerlitz on December 2, 1805.
His audacity was already legendary: on October 29, 1806, at the head of his "Infernal Brigade", made up of just two regiments of hussars, he had the unheard-of audacity to appear in front of the stronghold of Stettin and summon it to surrender; the governor, frightened, rushed to bring him the keys...
Lasalle was appointed Major General in December 1806. In town, he presided over the "Société des Assoiffés". His bravery and his phrase Tout hussard qui n'est pas mort à trente ans est un Jean-Foutre (Any hussar who hasn't died by the age of thirty is a Jean-Foutre)
were already famous.
From 1807 to 1809, he fought all over Europe: in Prussia, Poland, Spain, Germany and Austria...
Fittingly, it was on the field of honor - during the battle of Wagram on July 6, 1809 - that he died at the age of thirty-four.
"Count Antoine Charles Louis de Lasalle". Nineteenth century French school.
Lasalle's name is inscribed on the 17th column (east pillar) of the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, and has been given to a street in the 19th arrondissement of Paris.
A full-length statue of General Lasalle by Louis Busson honors his memory on the north façade of the Louvre, rue de Rivoli .
Other portraits
"The last assault by General Lasalle, killed at Wagram on July 6, 1809" by Jean Baptiste Edouard Detaille (Paris 1848 - Paris 1912).
"General Lasalle". Nineteenth century engraving.