General Marcellin Marbot[?] describes him as encouraging even Bonaparte himself in the confused situation that prevailed before that battle. Though this is exaggerated, there is no doubt that Augereau largely decided the fortunes of those critical days. Bonaparte summed up his military qualities: "Has plenty of character, courage, firmness, activity; is inured to war; is well liked by the soldiery; is fortunate in his operations."
In 1797 Bonaparte sent Augereau to Paris to encourage the Jacobinical Directors. Augereau and the troops led by him coerced the "moderates" in the councils and carried through the coup d'état of 18 Fructidor (4 September) 1797. He was then sent to command French forces in Germany.
Augereau took little part in the coup d'état of Brumaire (November 1799), and did not distinguish himself in the Rhenish campaign which ensued. Nevertheless, owing to his final adhesion to Bonaparte's fortunes, he received a marshal[?]'s baton at the beginning of the Empire (19 May 1804).
In the campaign of 1805 Augereau did good service around Constance and Bregenz, and at Jena (14 October 1806) his corps distinguished itself. Early in 1807 he fell ill of a fever, and at the Battle of Eylau (7 February 1807) he had to be supported on his horse, but directed the movements of his corps with his wonted bravery. His corps was almost annihilated and the marshal himself received a wound from which he never quite recovered. He became duke of Castiglione on 19 March 1808.
When transferred to Catalonia, Augereau gained some successes but tarnished his name by cruelty. In the campaign of 1812 in Russia and in the Saxon campaign of 1813 his conduct was little more than mediocre. Before the Battle of Leipzig (October 1813), Napoleon reproached him with not being the Augereau of Castiglione; to which he replied, "Give me back the old soldiers of Italy, and I will show you that I am".
In 1814 Augereau had command of the army of Lyons, and his slackness exposed him to the charge of having come to an understanding with the Austrian invaders. Thereafter he served the restored King Louis XVIII, but, after reviling Napoleon, went over to him during the Hundred Days. The Emperor repulsed him and charged him with being a traitor to France in 1814. Louis XVIII, when re-restored to the throne, deprived him of his military title and pension.
Augereau died at his estate of La Houssaye on 12 June 1816. In person he appeared tall and commanding, but his loud and vulgar behaviour frequently betrayed the soldier of fortune.
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