Louis-Leger Boyeldieu, Baron 1774 - 1815

1806

Alois Frey 1752-1835

Oil on canvas

51 x 40cm

This Painting shows Boyeldieu, aged 32, as colonel of the 4th regiment of the line and was painted while on campaign, in Friesing Germany in 1806 by Alois Frey. He is shown wearing an officers grade Legion of Honour, which appears to have been painted as the first version of the medal, without crown, and to have had the crown added at a later time. Boyeldieu was awarded the officers grade medal on the 14th May 1806.

Boyeldieu's military career began when he became a sous-lieutenant of the 3rd Battalion of Volunteers of the Somme in 1791. Over the next three years he served with the Army of the North, becoming a lieutenant in 1792 and a captain in 1794. From 1794 to 1796 he served with the Army of the Sambre and Meuse, joining the 61st Infantry Regiment in June of 1796. 1797 was spent with the Army of Italy, and in 1798 he left France for Egypt with the Army of the Orient. By July of 1798 Boyeldieu was serving in Desiax's division, and fought at the Battle of the Pyramids. Serving in Upper Egypt and the Delta, he fought at and was wounded at the siege of Abukir the following year. In 1801, Boyeldieu was serving under Friant when he was hit in the neck by a shot in the fighting around Lake Madieh. A month later, the commander in Egypt, General Menou promoted him to chef de battalion

After returning to France, Boyeldieu served with the Army of the Coasts of the Ocean, and was named a member of the Legion of Honor in June of 1804. Another honor soon followed, as he was appointed a chef de batallion in the Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard in September of 1805. After serving in Austria, he was appointed colonel of the 4th Infantry Regiment of the line on the 9 March 1806, replacing Napoleon's brother, Joseph, as colonel. On the 14th May 1806 he was named Officer of the Legion of Honour. Fighting at Bergfried in February 1807 Boyeldieu was wounded by a shot to the left buttock but was well enough to return to duty for the battle of Heilsberg, 10 June 1807. Unfortunately for Boyeldieu, he was wounded in that battle, this time taking canister shot to his left shoulder. A month later, on 11 July he was made a Commander of the Legion of Honor, On 17 March 1808 he received another honor, being made a Baron of the Empire.

1809 saw Boyeldieu serving in Germany with Dalesme's 2nd Brigade of Carra St. Cyr's division. With this unit, he fought at Aspern-Essling and then in the culmination of the campaign at Wagram he was wounded by a shot to the left thigh and taken prisoner. Fortunately for Boyeldieu, he was released a month later in a prisoner exchange. In July of 1811 he was promoted to general de brigade, and the next year Boyeldieu served in the Russian campaign. While in Russia, he commanded the 1st Brigade of Roguet's 2nd Division of Marshal Mortier's Young Guard. He received another honour in April of 1813, being appointed a Knight of the Iron Crown. Taking part in the campaigns of Germany, Boyeldieu again served with the Young Guard, this time as commander of the 3rd Brigade of Barrois' 2nd Division. At the Battle of Dresden, Boyeldieu was wounded in his left shoulder again, this time by a single shot. His contributions did not go unnoticed though, and a few weeks later he was promoted to general de division. Unfortunately, his wounds were beginning to catch up with him, and at the end of September of 1813, he was placed on leave to recover. After the Emperor's abdication in April 1814, he was placed on non-activity.With Napoleon's return to power in March 1815, General Boyeldieu was appointed as the commander of Toulon, but he did not accept the position, citing ill health from his many wounds.

Boyeldieu's many wounds finally caught up with him shortly after Napoleon's second abdication, and he died in August of 1815 from complications of his wounds.

The Recommendation for Promotion' for Jean Francios Paillon to the rank of Sous Lieutenant, signed by Baron Boyeldieu as colonel of the 4th Regiment de Linge, 26 October 1808. Paillon was killed less than a year later at the battle of Wagram in 1809.

Below are the coat of arms awarded to Baron Boyeldieu on the 17 March 1808