Joseph Serrant

Born on January 1767 in Saint-Pierre (Martinique), died on 7 November 1827.

Joseph Serrant volunteers on 7 November 1782, in Bouille regiment where he becomes Second-Lieutenant on 13 December 1792. He is appointed as Quartermaster of the 2nd Chasseurs Battalion of Martinique on 16 August 1793 and takes part in the campaigns from 1792 to 1794 in this island. Promoted to captain of the Chasseurs-a-Cheval of his battalion on 3 December 1793, he is wounded and taken prisoner by the British on 16 February 1794. Released, he goes to France where he is assigned with his rank in the 106th Line Infantry Regiment , later incorporated in the 13th Line Infantry Half-brigade, on 10 May 1795. He campaigns from 1795 to 1800 in the armies of the West, of Italy and of Helvetia and is transferred with his rank in the 87th Line Infantry Half-brigade, later incorporated in the 5th Line Infantry Regiment, on 26 November 1798. He distinguishes himself at Savigliano and is wounded in the attack of Murazzo. From 1801 to 1804, he serves in the army of the Grisons and in the army of Observation of the South and fight against the Valais insurgents. He takes part in the campaigns of 1805 and 1806 in Italy and distinguishes himself at Ragusa. He is appointed Major and awarded Knight’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 21 June 1806.

He serves from 1807 to 1810 in the Illyrian provinces, and is appointed by Marshal Marmont as Colonel of the 3rd Illyrian Chasseurs Regiment (Ogulin) on 20 December 1809. On 26 August 1811, he is transferred as Colonel of the 8th Light Infantry Regiment and leads his regiment during the campaign of 1812 in Russia where he distinguishes himself and is wounded at Ostrowno. For this, he is awarded Officer’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 31 July 1812 and promoted to Brigadier on next 25 September. In command of the 1st Brigade of the 14th Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps he fights at Maloïaroslavets where he is wounded. Captured in December 1812, he escaped and rejoins French army in February 1813. he takes a sick leave in France and is back on duty in January 1814, assigned in the 7th Military Division, and defends valiantly the Savoy under command of General Marchand.

During the Hundred Days, he takes command of Upper-Loire department.