MenuGeneral Jean-Georges Grenier
Born: November 11, 1771
Place of Birth: Sarrelouis, Moselle, France
Died: November 6, 1835
Place of Death: Marpain, France
Pronunciation:
The younger brother of Paul Grenier, Jean-Georges Grenier first entered the military in 1791 when he joined the 1st Battalion of Volunteers of Moselle. Appointed a sous-lieutenant, he served in the Armies of the North and the Moselle in 1792 and 1793 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1793. In 1794 Grenier joined the Army of the Sambre and Meuse and became an aide-de-camp to his brother, a position which he would hold for the next six years while following his brother on numerous campaigns. In the meantime, Grenier was promoted to capitaine in 1797 and then to chef de bataillon in 1799.
In the year 1800, Grenier served with the Army of the Rhine and then in 1802 he was sent to Guadeloupe. While there, he fought at the action of Bambège where he was wounded by a shot to the left leg. Grenier returned to France in 1803 and then went on to join the Army of Italy where he took a position with the 60th Ligne. He remained in Italy until 1807 when he went to Dalmatia.
In 1809 Grenier returned to Italy to serve with the Army of Italy against the Austrians. As part of Séras' division, he served at the crossing of the Piave and took the fort of Pradella. At the end of May, Grenier was promoted to colonel and took command of the 52nd Ligne. Now with Pacthod's division, he served in Hungary and led his regiment into action at Wagram . A month later, Grenier was named a Baron of the Empire.
Colonel Grenier's next major command was in Spain. After serving there for a period of time, he was taken prisoner on November 1st, 1813. While held in captivity, Grenier was promoted to général de brigade on Christmas Day, 1813, but he remained a prisoner of war until after Napoleon's abdication.
The returning Bourbons named Grenier a Knight of Saint Louis and Commander of the Legion of Honor, but nevertheless he rallied to Napoleon during the Hundred Days. Grenier took command of the 2nd Brigade of Marcognet's division in the I Corps and took part in the campaign in Belgium, serving at Waterloo. The following year he was put on non-activity.
Bibliography
Updated April 2014
© Nathan D. Jensen