Michel Ney
Michel Ney was born in the town of Sarrelouis on the 10th of January 1769. He grew up as the second son of Pierre Ney, a master cooper who had served in the Seven Years' War. His mother was Marguerite Greiveldinger. The town sat along the French-German border and Ney grew up bilingual due to his German roots. He attended the Collège des Augustins until 1782 before working as a clerk in a notary's office. In 1784 he found employment in mines and forges. Life as a civil servant did not suit him so he enlisted in the Colonel-General Hussar Regiment in 1787. Under the Bourbon monarchy entry to the officer corps required four quarterings of nobility. Ney rapidly rose through non-commissioned ranks despite this restriction. Following the French Revolution he continued serving in what became the French Revolutionary Army. In September 1792 he saw action at the Battle of Valmy. By October 1792 he was commissioned as an officer under the Republic.
On the 19th of May 1804 Ney received his marshal's baton. This emblem marked his status as one of the original 18 Marshals of the Empire. During the 1805 campaign he took command of the VI Corps of the Grande Armée. He was praised for his conduct at Elchingen that same year. In November 1805 Ney invaded Tyrol and captured Innsbruck from Archduke John. The following year he fought at Jena and occupied Erfurt. Later in the campaign he successfully besieged Magdeburg. In 1807 Ney arrived with reinforcements to save Napoleon from defeat at Eylau. He later fought at Güttstadt and commanded the right wing at Friedland. On the 6th of June 1808 Ney was made Duke of Elchingen. His rapid ascent from a commoner to high nobility remained exceptional during this era.
Ney received command of the III Corps during the invasion of Russia in 1812. At Smolensk he was wounded in the neck but recovered enough to fight at Borodino. During the retreat from Moscow he commanded the rearguard. He became known as the last Frenchman on Russian soil when he passed the Niemen on the 14th of December. After being cut off from the main army during the Battle of Krasnoi Ney escaped in heavy fog over the Dnieper River. He rejoined the army in Orsha which delighted Napoleon. For this action the emperor gave him the nickname the bravest of the brave. Ney lost more than half his strength before reaching safety. Almost all cavalry and artillery disappeared except for two guns. The terrible defeat induced Miloradovich to extend another honorable surrender to Ney. In early evening during heavy fog Ney decided to draw back with 3,000 men. He crossed the river near Alekseyevka where the ice broke in several places. Elements and Cossacks reduced his contingent to only 800 diehards.
At Fontainebleau Ney became spokesperson for marshals' revolt on the 4th of April 1814. He demanded Napoleon's abdication stating that the army would obey its chiefs not the emperor. When Paris fell and Bourbons reclaimed the throne Ney was promoted and made a Peer of France by King Louis XVIII. The Bourbon court looked down on him because he was a commoner by birth. When Ney heard of Napoleon's return to France he organized a force to stop the march on Paris. He pledged to bring Napoleon back alive in an iron cage. On the 14th of March Ney joined Napoleon at Lons-le-Saulnier with 6,000 men. Napoleon sent a letter saying I shall receive you as I did after the Battle of the Moskowa. Ney's reconciliation with Napoleon was a body blow to monarchy hopes. The King abandoned Paris just two days after Ney's treason became known in the capital.
On the 15th of June 1815 Napoleon appointed Ney commander of left wing of Army of North. On the 16th of June forces split to fight battles simultaneously. Ney attacked Duke Wellington at Quatre Bras while Napoleon fought Blücher at Ligny. Ney received criticism for attacking slowly though debate continues over timing orders. At Ligny Napoleon ordered General d'Erlon to move his corps to Prussian rear. D'Erlon stopped moving and began moving away instead. Ney had ordered d'Erlon to come to his aid at Quatre Bras. Without d'Erlon blocking retreat French victory remained incomplete. At Waterloo on the 18th of June Ney again commanded left wing. Around 3:30 p.m. Ney ordered mass cavalry charge against Anglo-Allied lines. His cavalry overran enemy cannons but found infantry formed in square formations. He failed to break these formations without infantry or artillery support. Ney's cavalry also failed to spike enemy cannons while under French control. During battle he had five horses killed under him. At day's end Ney led one last infantry charge shouting Come and see how a marshal of France meets his death! Many observers reported it was as though Ney was seeking death.
Ney was arrested on the 3rd of August 1815 after Napoleon's second defeat. Marshal Moncey declined presidency of court-martial and was imprisoned for doing so. The King appointed Marshal Jourdan who convened the trial on the 9th of November 1815. The court comprised marshals Jourdan Masséna Augereau and Mortier plus generals Gazan Claparède and Villatte. After deliberation the court voted 5, 2 to declare itself non-competent. Ney was tried on the 16th of November for treason by Chamber of Peers. Key evidence came from Generals Bourmont and Lecourbe. Bourmont testified Ney wore Imperial Eagle decoration minutes after switching sides. Ney responded with outrage claiming no witness corroborated this claim. Lawyer André Dupin declared Ney now Prussian since Sarrelouis annexed by Treaty of Paris. Ney interrupted stating Je suis Français et je resterai Français. On the 4th of December 137 peers voted death penalty while 17 voted deportation. Only Duc de Broglie voted acquittal. On the 6th of December he was condemned. On the 7th of December 1815 Ney executed by firing squad near Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. He refused blindfold saying Are you unaware that I've spent twenty-five years staring down at cannonballs and bullets? He gave order to fire before dying.
Ney's body buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Records indicate arrival of Peter Stewart Ney year following execution. This man served as school teacher in Rowan County until death on the 15th of November 1846. Legend claimed Peter slashed throat upon hearing Napoleon died in 1821. His last words reportedly said I am Ney of France. Evidence contradicted legend showing Michel Ney well documented execution. Marshal Ney fluent in German but not known speaking English. One researcher claims Peter Stewart Ney was actually Peter McNee born 1788 in Stirlingshire Scotland. Ney appears in Miloš Crnjanski novel A Novel of London where protagonist praises him against Napoleon. He portrayed by John Hollingworth in 2023 film Napoleon. British warship named after Ney exists today. His reputation remains enduring figure in military history despite controversial final actions.
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Common questions
When and where was Michel Ney born?
Michel Ney was born in the town of Sarrelouis on the 10th of January 1769. He grew up as the second son of Pierre Ney, a master cooper who had served in the Seven Years' War.
What date did Michel Ney receive his marshal's baton?
On the 19th of May 1804 Michel Ney received his marshal's baton. This emblem marked his status as one of the original 18 Marshals of the Empire.
How did Michel Ney die during the Battle of Waterloo?
At day's end Michel Ney led one last infantry charge shouting Come and see how a marshal of France meets his death! Many observers reported it was as though Ney was seeking death.
When was Michel Ney executed by firing squad?
On the 7th of December 1815 Michel Ney was executed by firing squad near Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. He refused blindfold saying Are you unaware that I've spent twenty-five years staring down at cannonballs and bullets?
Who claimed to be Peter Stewart Ney after Michel Ney died?
Records indicate arrival of Peter Stewart Ney year following execution. Legend claimed Peter slashed throat upon hearing Napoleon died in 1821.