Quick Facts
Biography
Louis César Gabriel Berthier de Berluy (9 November 1765 Versailles - 17 August 1819 Château de Grosbois (Seine-et-Oise)), was a French Napoleonic War general.
Early life
He was the son of Jean-Baptiste Berthier (1721-1804), an engineer, lieutenant-colonel, ennobled by Louis XV, and was a brother of maréchal d'Empire Louis-Alexandre Berthier, the général de division Victor Léopold Berthier, and, maréchal de camp Joseph-Alexandre Berthier, 1er vicomte Berthier (1821).
César was born on 9 November 1765, at 3, rue de l’Indépendance américaine, in the parish Saint-Louis, at Versailles, and was baptised on 20 November.
Career
After the coup of 18 Brumaire Year VIII (9 November 1799) he was appointed inspector of reviews. At Marengo, 25 Prairial year VIII (14 June 1800), he was the adjutant commander to Murat, commander of the cavalry.
Promoted Brigadier General, on September 4, 1802, he succeeded the following year his brother Victor Leopold as Chief of Staff of the Paris, the latter being called to leave for Germany.
He was made Commander of the Legion of Honor on 14 January 1804, and in 1805 he obtained the command of an army of observation on the coast of Holland and became general of division on 3 January 1806.
At Corfu
The Ionian Islands were ceded by Russia to France as part of the Treaties of Tilsit in 1807. In August 1807, General César Berthier arrived in Corfu with 4,000 men of the 5th Italian line, 6th line of French, two artillery companies, two companies of sappers, supplies and ammunition from Taranto to Corfou,. The Ionian Islands were occupied by the 4th léger.
Berthier announced on 1 September at septinsulaire Senate that the islands came under the protection of France; and that nothing changes in the constitutional functioning, administrative or judicial office of the Republic.
Become "commander of Corfu," Caesar Berthier settled in the Fortezza Vecchia, in the building occupied by him before provéditeurs Venice, general Gentili and Chabot, then Mocenigo. Although Napoleon promised that the Seven Islands retained their independence, however, Berthier hoisted the tricolor flag over the citadel, which was not seen as an encouraging sign by the local population.
On March 28, 1808, he was replaced in his government by his former assistant principal, Donzelot, whose authority in the Ionian Islands was full of wisdom and moderation.
End of the empire and restoration
He commanded the 27th military division in Turin (1808-1811) and the 23rd Military Division in Corsica (1811-1814).
Also in Italy he was appointed head of the house of Pope Pius VII prisoner to Savona (1809-1814) then Governor of Piedmont replacing General Menou.
He was made Knight of the Order of the Lion "Bavaria" and count of the Empire on February 13, 1813.
He rallied to the Bourbons in 1814. He was awarded the Cross of St. Louis, on 24 October 1814. In 1819 he was assigned the rank of lieutenant general in the General Inspectorate of the infantry.
But on 17 August 1819, while he is visiting the Castle of Grosbois near Boissy-Saint-Léger, country house of his sister Princess of Neufchatel and Wagram, he died accidentally (in drowning or struck with apoplexy) in the pond of the park.