Pierre François Lataye

Born on 14 March 1755 in Charny (Meuse), died on 24 February 1827 at Schelestadt (Bas-Rhin).

Pierre Lataye volunteers in the Royal-Cravattes (10th of cavalry) on 9 March 1773. Corporal on 19 March 1778, Quartermaster on 12 July 1781, Sergeant-Major on 20 June 1784, he becomes Quartermaster-Sergeant on 23 July, and Ensign on 20 August 1789. Promoted to Second-Lieutenant on 1 March 1791, Lieutenant on 25 January 1792, he reaches the rank of Captain on 26 October of that year. He campaigns from 1792 to 1801 in the armies of the North, of the Centre, of the Moselle, of Sambre-and-Meuse, of the Danube and of the Rhine and distinguishes himself several times. Appointed Major on 28 June 1795, he again distinguishes himself, while acting as interim commander of his regiment in the battles of 1796.

On 22 April 1797, he is appointed Brigade Chief of the 10th Cavalry Regiment. He serves as Brigade Chief until the end of the campaign of 1801 and distinguishes himself at Hohenlinden, where he is in command of the reserve brigade. From 1802 to 1805, he is posted in the 5th military division. In 1803, the rank of Brigade Chief disappears and the cavalry regiments are renamed cuirassiers, it so becomes Colonel of the 10th Cuirassiers Regiment. He is awarded Knight’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 11 December 1803 and Officer’s cross of the Order on 14 June 1804. His regiment is part of the 2nd Heavy Cavalry Division of the Reserve of the Grande Army during the campaigns of 1805 and 1806. He distinguishes himself at Austerlitz and is awarded Commander’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 25 December 1805. After the Prussian campaign, his health enforces him to leave service. He is allowed to take retirement with the rank of Brigadier on 4 October 1806; he is elevated to the rank of Baron of the Empire on 10 February 1809.