by Rob Harper
After this brief interview La Rochejaquelein and La Ville-Baugé went to eat with their men. When they later returned to meet with Charette, La Rochejaquelein was received coldly. Charette indicated that he was considering an assault on Cholet, but when La Rochejaquelein warned him of the risks and the strength of the town’s garrison, Charette cuttingly replied that as La Rochejaquelein had thought fit to leave his lands (to go north of the Loire), so Charette would leave for Mortagne, adding that if La Rochejaquelein wanted to follow him he could give him a horse. La Rochejaquelein’s response was short and to the point: ‘I am not accustomed to following, but to being followed.’2 This, recalled La Ville-Baugé, is how the meeting ended and the two would never meet again. As predicted, around 800 men left Charette to follow La Rochejaquelein.
Heading back towards the coastal Vendée later that day Charette attacked and massacred Cerizay’s 200 strong garrison then camped at Les Herbiers that night. Hearing that Charette was at Les Herbiers, Joba and Dufour moved in that direction and were once again closing in, Dufour from the Les Essarts side and Joba from that of St-Fulgent. Joba discovered that Charette had moved to St-Fulgent and, although bad roads meant Dufour was unable to join him in time, he attacked and inflicted more losses on the rebels.
Charette’s fragile command was breaking up as both Joly and Savin left and he eventually reached the Forest of Touvois.
In the last few days of the year Charette remarkably managed to unite 6-7,000 men with which he planned to come to the rescue of Noirmoutier now that the republicans were closing in. On 31 December, as a first step in that direction, he overpowered a small garrison in Machecoul.
The end of the ‘Great War’ of the Vendée
January 1794 was a terrible month for the royalists. Although Charette was gaining an outstanding reputation as a guerrilla fighter, he was defeated twice at Machecoul in the first few days of the year and as a consequence was unable to come to the aid of Noirmoutier which came under large scale attack on 3 January. With its fall, D’Élbée, still too ill to face a firing squad standing, was shot seated in an armchair. Weilland, the garrison commander who had surrendered to Charette, was shot alongside him.
Both La Rochejaquelein and Stofflet had some success in January facing the many republican columns sent into the Vendée to put the region to fire and sword. On 28 January La Rochejaquelein was pursuing some republicans towards Cholet when he found himself alone with a handful of his men near to the farm of La Brissonnière, south-west of Nuaillé. Spotting a grenadier running away he approached and called on him to surrender. The grenadier appeared to cooperate, then suddenly raised his musket and fired on La Rochejaquelein at close range. The shot struck him in the head and killed him instantly. To avoid the republicans finding his body, and the news spreading too quickly, his face was deliberately rendered unrecognisable and he was quickly buried.
The atrocities being committed by Turreau’s ‘Infernal Columns’ in early 1794 led many to join rebel ranks out of desperation. Eventually, in February 1795, the relentless campaigning led the – now more moderate – Republic to offer peace terms. Charette and Sapinaud-de-la-Rairie signed the Treaty of La Juanaye, which promised freedom of religion and exemption from military service. Stofflet eventually accepted its terms that May. Yet Charette took up arms again in June and Sapinaud in October (although Sapinaud came to terms with the Republic in January 1796). Stofflet was also back at war at the beginning of 1796, only to be captured and executed that same February.
After continually eluding the many republican columns sent to hunt him down, Charette was at long last captured in March 1796 after a relentless pursuit by General Travot, which ended with him being physically pinned to the ground by republican troops. He was escorted to Nantes and shot in the square where Cathelineau had been mortally wounded back in June 1793.
After a brief upsurge of violence in 1799 the region remained calm. Only in 1815 would it again become a serious cause for concern and undoubtedly contributed to Napoleon’s fall from power during the Hundred Days Campaign. In 1815 two of La Rochejaquelein’s younger brothers, Sapinaud-de-la-Rairie, and a nephew of Charette, would all play a prominent role.
The French government drew a veil over the Great War in the Vendée, undoubtedly because so many of the high ideals espoused by the French Republic were replaced by the brutal and bloody suppression of a region that had dared to defy the regime. Although ultimately unsuccessful, this war against the darker side of the French Revolution came close to toppling the Republic, and no counter-revolutionary movement endured so long or achieved so much as the peasants of the Vendée Militaire.
Appendix 1
Biographies of Vendéen and Republican Leaders
With few exceptions, only those attaining the highest ranks (or in the case of the Republic at least divisional command) are listed. All ages, where known, are given in parenthesis and are as of the end of March 1793.
Vendéens
D’Autichamp, Charles-Marie-Auguste-Joseph de Beaumont, Comte (22). Born in Angers. Captain in the Royal-Dragon aged 17, then adjudant major in the Kings’ Garde-à-Cheval in 1791. He was with the Émigré Army in Coblenz and at the Tuileries on 10 August 1792. Served with Bonchamps. Captured at Le Mans but escaped execution thanks to a Republican hussar officer to whom he was related (and probably masonic connections). Later fought with Stofflet until 1796. He was involved in the risings of 1799, 1815 and 1832 and received promotions and decorations after the Restoration. He died in 1859.
Béjarry, Amédée de (23). Born in Luçon. ADC to Royrand. Commanded Army of the Centre after Royrand’s death. Returned to Vendée and fought until 1796. Died 1844.
Bonchamps, Charles Melchior Arthus Marquis de (29). Former captain of Grenadiers. He served in the Indes under Suffren in the Regiment de Bailli and saw action. He was at the Tuileries on 10 August 1792. Retiring to his Château of La Baronnière, near Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, he was called to lead by local peasants on 13 March. Widely regarded as the best strategist in the army and responsible for protecting the line of the Loire, he led the most well organised and largest division. He had the misfortune to be wounded in action many times, ultimately fatally, succumbing soon after the Battle of Cholet.
Cathelineau, Jacques (35). Market trader, peddler and wagoner by profession, he was held in high esteem and was called to lead on 13 March in his village of Pin-en-Mauges. Pious and extremely brave in combat he became deeply respected and loved by his men and was known as the ‘Saint of Anjou’. Divisional commander and first commander in chief of the Grand Army, he was mortally wounded at the battle of Nantes and died in July.
Charette de la Contrie, François-Athanase (29). Former naval officer and had fought in the American War of Independence. He left the navy in 1790 and went to fight with the Émigré Army. Soon disillusioned with what he saw, he was at the Tuileries in August 1792 but managed to escape and return to his home at Fonteclôse. He tried his best to stay out of the troubles but was soon leading thousands of peasants in the coastal region and went on to become the most celebrated of all of the leaders in the Vendée until he was finally captured and executed in 1796.
Des Essarts, Charles Marie Michel, Chevalier (in his 24th year). Former priest and émigré who had joined the rebel army by sometime in May 1793. He commanded Lescure’s former division in December, escaped after Savenay, but was captured and executed in January 1794.
Dommaigné, Jean-Baptiste-Louis-Étienne de (Comte de Brulon) (43). He had been in the Garde-de-Corps for many years and was subsequently a colonel in the National Guard and deputy at the Fête of the Fédération in 1790. With the Rising he was soon given command of the Vendéen cavalry. Distinguished at Thouars and 2nd Fontenay, he was killed leading a charge at Saumur in June.
Donnissan, Guy-Joseph marquis de (56). Maréchal-de-camp and veteran of the Seven Years War. Released with his son-in-law Lescure in May, he was known to lead troops in some battles but is better remembered for his role as governor of rebel territory and h
is influence in war councils. He was captured at Savenay and executed in January 1794. He was the father of Madame de la Rochejaquelein.
D’Élbée, Marquis Maurice-Joseph-Louis Gigost (41). Born in Dresden but naturalised French. Former junior officer in both the infantry and cavalry, he left the army with the rank of lieutenant in 1785, retiring to his château of La Loge near Beaupréau. He was a Deputy to the Third-Estate. Put at the head of the peasants in spite of his protests he was soon a divisional general and became commander in chief after the death of Cathelineau. D’Élbée was a capable general with flashes of exceptional skill and bravery but lacked the charisma of some of the other leaders. Dangerously wounded at Cholet, he was captured and shot with the fall of Noirmoutier in January 1794.
Fleuriot, Jacques Nicolas de (54). Former Maréchal-des-Logis in the Gardes-de-Corps, he fought with Stofflet then Bonchamps. Became commander-in-chief of the Grand Army days before Savenay, from which he managed to escape. Fought with Stofflet, Sapinaud, and finally Charette until 1796. He died in 1821.
Fleuriot, Jacques (56). Former lieutenant, page to the Queen and brother of the above. Rose up with Piron then joined Bonchamps, commanding his division on several occasions (notably Montreuil-Bellay and Saumur). Mortally wounded at Nantes.
Forestier, Henri (17). A cobbler’s son. Involved in 1792 rising. Joined Cathelineau March 1793. Soon appointed second-in-command of the cavalry under Dommaigné then later Talmont. He campaigned north of the Loire, then with the Chouans before joining Stofflet. In 1795 he was in England but again fought in the Vendée in 1799. Subsequently involved in various conspiracies he was condemned to death by Napoleon. Died in London 1806 in suspicious circumstances.
Joly, Jean-Baptiste. Surgeon and former sergeant in the Royal Army, commanded in La Mothe-Achard area. Fiercely independent he often fought with others in the area, and on occasion with the Grand Army, but had a difficult relationship with Charette. He left Charette after being reproached for the loss of Challans in April 1794 and was condemned to death. Disguised as a peasant, he set out to join Stofflet but was mistakenly condemned as a spy and shot.
La Rochejaquelein, Henri du Vergier, Comte de (20). From one of the foremost families of the west of France he was born at the family château of La Durbelière. An officer in the King’s Constitutional Guard he was at the defence of the Tuileries on 10 August 1792 and managed to escape back to his home territory. Divisional general, then commander in chief of the army during the campaign north of the Loire. Charismatic, recklessly brave and proved to be an exceptional tactician. He was killed in January 1794.
Laugrenière, Dominique-Alexandre Chevalier Jaudonnet de (47). Former King’s musketeer, nobleman. Soon in command of the Argenton-Château Division forming part of the Grand Army and fought in a number of major engagements. He campaigned north of the Loire, was captured after Savenay, and guillotined in January 1794.
Lescure, Louis Marie de Salgues, Marquis de (26). Educated at the École-Militaire in Paris, Lescure was a cavalry captain by 1791 and emigrated that same year. Back in Paris in 1792 he participated in the defence of the Tuileries before returning to Poitou. Arrested in April 1793 he was released on 2 May when the rebels seized Bressuire. Known by the rebels as the ‘Saint of Anjou’ for his piety, he is said to have never personally killed an enemy soldier. He fought most often with La Rochejaquelein and was one of the foremost Vendéen generals. Mortally wounded on 15 October he eventually died the following month.
Lyrot de la Patouillière, Francois Jean Hervé, Chevalier (60). Veteran of the American War of Independence. This former officer led the ‘Men of Loroux’. Independent but often fought with Charette and the Grand Army. Distinguished during the campaign north of the Loire and killed at Savenay.
Marigny, Augustin Étienne Gaspard de Bernard de (38). Naval Lieutenant in the American War of Independence. At the Tuileries on 10 August 1792 before returning to the west. Imprisoned then later released in May from Bressuire with Lescure. Soon in command of the Grand Army’s artillery. Fought in numerous battles and campaigned north of the Loire. Escaped after Savenay and returned to fight in the Vendée in 1794 with Stofflet, Sapinaud and Charette. He was accused of betraying an agreement between the generals not to attack in isolation and was blamed for having compromised a key battle. Condemned to death by Stofflet and Charette he was captured and shot in July 1794 to widespread disgust, causing some to abandon the cause.
Piron, Dominique-Louis (32). Piron had fought in the Antilles and in the American War of Independence under Rochambeau and in the émigré army. He was a captain in the Varennes National Guard. He led parishes near the Loire. One of the most outstanding generals in the rebel army. He was either shot after Savenay or killed in 1794.
Royrand, Chevalier Charles Augustin de (Sixties). Retired colonel. Commander-in-chief of the Army of the Centre. He was a rich landowner, highly regarded in the region. Mortally wounded at Entrammes. Died December 1793.
Sapinaud-de-la-Verrie (55). Former officer in Gardes-de-Corps (for 25 years). Divisional general in the Army of the Centre, sometimes fighting with the Grand Army. Killed defending the line of the River Lay in July.
Savin, Jean-René-François (27). Rich landowner who often fought with Joly and Charette. With Charette in 1794. Captured and executed in March 1796.
Stofflet, Jean-Nicolas (40). Born in Lorraine he had served for seventeen years in the Lorraine-Infanterie-Royale Regiment. He left the army as a corporal to become his former colonel’s gamekeeper and warden for the forests of Maulévrier. Active in 1792. A natural leader with a forceful, sometimes violent, personality but unquestionably brave. Divisional general and later major general and second in command of the Grand Army. He fought on until 1796 when he was captured and shot.
Talmont, Antoine-Philippe de La Trémouille, Prince de (27). Involved in the La Rouëre plot in 1792. Emigrated, returning to the west in early 1793. Joined the rebels after Saumur and commanded the cavalry with variable success, although distinguished north of the Loire. Captured near Fougères, December, guillotined January 1794.
Republicans
Aubert-Dubayet, Jean-Baptiste Anibal (35). Born in Lousiana. Fought in the American War of Independence. Divisional general commanding Army of Mayence. Dismissed as a ci-devant in October, imprisoned until the fall of Robespierre. He died in Constantinople in 1797 when French Ambassador.
Baudry D’Asson, Esprit (42). Born in the Vendée. Long service before the Revolution, lieutenant colonel 1792, general of brigade May 1793, with Les Sables Division from March until September. Army of the West 1794. Later commandant of Rochefort. Died 1812.
Beaufranchet D’Ayat, Louis Charles Antoine de (35). Illegitimate child of Louis XV. Captain 1782, colonel 1792 (at Valmy). Berruyer’s chief of staff on the day Louis XVI guillotined, overseeing the day’s proceedings. General of brigade (March 1793) and later general of division. Dismissed July 1793 as a ci-devant, retired in 1806, died 1812.
Beaupuy, Michel Armand de Bacharetie de (37). Joined army in 1771, lieutenant in 1789. Fought on the Rhine then Mayence where he became general of brigade. General of division after Cholet and survived the dismissals of former nobles due to his fine service. Gravely wounded at Entrammes, in Vendée until 1795, transferred to Samble-et-Meuse, and killed in action in 1796.
Berruyer, Jean Francois de (55). Joined army 1751 and fought in the Seven Years War. Colonel in 1791. In 1792 he was appointed commander of the troops in Paris and was infamously remembered for ordering a roll of drums to drown out Louis XVI’s attempt to address the crowd just before being guillotined. Commander-in-chief in the Vendée, recalled 28 April, dismissed June. Later with armies in the Alps and Italy then governor of Les Invalides. Died 1804.
Berthier, Loius Alexandre (39). Later famous as Napoleon’s outstanding chief of staff and marshal. Veteran of Yorktown campaign; Colonel of the Versailles National Guard (1789), then on staff of General Lafayette, before chief of staff to Marshal Lucknor in 1792. General of brigade in
May 1792. He was sent with Berruyer to Angers at the end of March, reputedly as a private, but reappointed General of brigade by Biron. Dismissed after Battle of Vihiers. With Napoleon in 1795, marshal 1804, died 1815.
Duc de Biron, Armand Louis de Gontaut, Duc de Lauzan (45). Famous for Lauzan’s Legion of American War of Independence fame, Biron had lived a dissolute life in the royal court. Campaigned in America, Corsica and Africa. Maréchal-de-camp by 1783; general of division early in the Revolution; commander-in-chief of the Army of Italy December 1792, then in Vendée May 1793. Dismissed in July, imprisoned and guillotined 31 December 1793.
Boulard, Henri Francois Morille (in his 57th year). Joined army in 1762, captain 1789, lieutenant colonel 1791. Under Marcé in March 1793 before commanding the Les Sables Division. Retired through ill health in July, died November 1793.
Canclaux, Jean Baptiste Camille, Marquis de (52). Maréchal-de-camp before the Revolution, general of division 1791. In Britanny in 1792; commander-in-chief of the Army of the Brest Coast in May 1793, which he commanded effectively. Dismissed as a ci-devant in October. After Thermidor he became commander-in-chief of the Army of the West and concluded peace treaties with many of the rebels in 1795. Crushed the émigré and Chouan army at Quiberon with Hoche. Senator 1804, Comte d’Empire 1808, died 1817.
Chalbos, Francois Alexis (57). Joined the army in 1751 and fought in the Seven Years War. Captain 1789, then chef-de-bataillon. Sent to Vendée 30 April 1793; general of brigade 6 May; general of division 22 May. Subsequently served in the Army of the West until November. Army of the Rhine (1794); Brest Coast (1795); later commanded the 20th and 25th Military Divisions before commanding the Army of Mayence (1801-3). Died 1803.
Commaire, Marc Antoine (38). Long military service on land and sea. Joined Paris National Guard as a captain. Colonel 24 May 1793. A close associate of Santerre, Rossignol and Ronsin, he was general of division on 30 September. Died from exhaustion brought on by the Vendéen War.