Claude Victor (1764-1841)
Claude Victor-Perrin began his military career as a drummer-boy in an artillery regiment and was eventually posted to the Army of Italy, where he won the respect of General Bonaparte. Placed in command of III Corps, he played a key role in the Battle of Marengo, and later, following a stint as ambassador to Denmark, rejoined the army as Marshal Lannes’ chief of staff. In 1807, again in corps command, he served ably in the Battle of Friedland and received his marshal’s baton shortly thereafter. During the Russian Campaign, he supported the retreat of the main army, but by 1814, he had had enough, and after Napoleon’s abdication at Fontainebleau, he rallied to Louis XVIII. Elevated to the peerage, he served as War Minister during the restoration.