Jean-Baptiste Joseph Sourd

Born on 26 June 1775 in Signes (Var), died 2 August 1849 in Paris.

Jean-Baptiste Sourd joins the 1st Volunteers Battalion of the Var in 1792 and his unit is amalgamated into the 165th Battle Half-brigade and then in the 45th Line Half-Brigade. He campaigns from 1792 to 1797 in the armies of the Alps and of Italy and becomes Sergeant in the Guides of the Army of Italy on 15 March 1797. It saves General Massena’s life during the siege of Genoa and becomes Second-Lieutenant in the 7th Chasseurs-a-Cheval Regiment on 30 June 1804. He campaigns in 1805 and 1806, fights at Austerlitz, Jena and becomes Lieutenant on 18 October 1806. He is wounded and taken prisoner at Eylau; released after ten months of captivity, he returns to his regiment where he is promoted Quartermaster on 7 April 1809. During the Austrian campaign, he distinguished himself at Eckmühl, Regensburg, Raab, Essling, Wagram and becomes Captain on 24 May 1809 and is awarded Knight’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 17 July. In 1812, he fights in Russia as Major and distinguishes himself in the two battles of Polotsk.

Sourd then takes part in the campaign of Saxony and is appointed Colonel and elevated to the rank of Baron of the Empire on 23 September 1813. He distinguishes himself at Leipzig and Hanau, is awarded Officer’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 23 December 1813 and takes command of the 20th Chasseurs-a-Cheval Regiment on 1st January 1814. In the campaign of 1814, he distinguishes again at Champaubert, Montmirail, Arcis-sur-Aube and Vauchamps.

After the abdication, Colonel Sourd is given command of the Queen’s Lancers Regiment (2nd lancers) and awarded Knight’s cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint-Louis. During the Hundred Days he is in command of the 2nd Light Horses Lancers Regiment and gloriously distinguishes himself at Waterloo, where one of his arms must be amputated. After the second Restoration, he is laid off until 1830, when he is in charge of the organisation of the Orleans Lancers Regiment. Promoted Brigadier on 1st March 1831, he is given command of the Tarn-and-Garonne department and awarded Commander’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 30 April 1836. He moves to the reserve pool on 24 June 1837 and is allowed to take retirement on 12 April 1848.