|
|
 |
|
LOUIS LAZARE
HOCHE 1768-1797
|
 |
|
|
Son of a groom in the Royal Stables at Versailles, Hoche
entered the Army in 1784. During the early years of the Republic, he rose
rapidly through  the
ranks, defending Dunkirk against the British and defeating an Austrian army
on the Loire in 1793. His greatest achievement was the pacification of
Brittany and the Vendιe, ravaged by 3 years of civil war.
Aged just 28 in 1796, Hoche was already established as France's leading
general, but his chief rival, Napoleon Bonaparte, was beginning to make his
mark in Italy.
A military leader of courage and genius, Hoche had an abiding hatred of
England and despite imprisonment during the Terror he was as zealous a
republican as Tone himself: an ideal leader for the French force that was to
help liberate Ireland.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last modified:
Tuesday June 23, 2009
Copyright ©2004
|
|
|
|
|
