Lannes was born at Lectour, in 1769, of a poor and obscure family. He joined the Republican army, and made his first campaign in the Eastern Pyrenees. “Il Était alors un pigmÉe, il devint un gÉant plus tard.” Napoleon so said of the hero who was attached to him alike in his good and bad fortune.

A Colonel in 1795, he followed Buonaparte to Italy, where he distinguished himself in the battles of Millesimo, Lodi, and Arcola. He was Brigadier-General at Pavia, where he took two of the enemy’s flags. He was opposed to the Papal troops at Immola and defeated them. He then accompanied Napoleon into Egypt, where he was made General of a division. At Aboukir, he exhibited uncommon intrepidity. He returned with him to France, and took an active part in the occurences of the 18th Brumaire. He again signalized himself at Marengo, and at the battle of Montebello in 1804; where he was created a Peer with the title of Duke of Montebello, having already received a Marshal’s baton. From that time he continued to take an active part in various campaigns, and was in command at the siege of Saragoza, in 1809.

His last campaign was not the least glorious of his military career. At the battle of Essling, May 22d, 1809, he was mortally wounded at the very moment he was showing the troops a wonderful example of firmness and heroic courage.