Hyacinthe François Joseph Despinoy orDespinois (22 May 1764 – 29 December 1848) became aFrench general during theFrench Revolutionary Wars, butNapoleon Bonaparte removed him from command. Afterward he held minor positions.
Born inValenciennes, Despinoy joined the French royal army in July 1780 as a gentleman-cadet in the Barrois Regiment (later the 50th Line Infantry). Promoted tosous-lieutenant in 1784 andlieutenant in 1791, he was acaptain of grenadiers in 1792 when theWar of the First Coalition broke out. He quickly rose in rank tochef de battalion in 1793 and fought in several minor actions.
During theSiege of Toulon, Despinoy served aschief of staff to GeneralJacques François Dugommier.[1] He received promotion togeneral of brigade after being severely wounded during the siege. He was posted to theArmy of the Eastern Pyrenees where he distinguished himself at the siege ofCollioure. In November 1794 he presented the captured Spanish flags to the Convention and gave a stirring speech. He was later captured at Puycerda but freed at the Peace of Basle in 1795.
In 1796, Despinoy joined Bonaparte'sArmy of Italy and fought at theBattle of Mondovì. Promoted togeneral of division in June 1796, he directed the siege of the citadel ofMilan until its surrender. Bonaparte removed him from the command of his division "for refusing to engage the Austrians on 3 August"[2] during theBattle of Lonato. On 14 August 1796, Bonaparte wrote of him,
Without energy or audacity. Is not a natural soldier, is not loved by his men, does not lead them into action. Has high principles, a good mind, sound political views. A good commander in the interior."[3]
Despinoy later served as governor of the fortresses ofPerpignan in 1801 andAlessandria from 1803 to 1814. He was named a commandant of theLegion d'honneur but never again entrusted with a combat command.
KingLouis XVIII named Despinoy commander of the 1st military division in January 1816 and shortly after he was ennobled as aCount. After commanding other interior posts, he led the 12th military division atNantes where he resisted theRevolution of 1830. He was arrested and retired from duty. He died in 1848.
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