La mort de Marceau (19 septembre 1796) : l’armée de Sambre-et-Meuse pendant la campagne d’été de 1796
Édouard Hardÿ de Périni, J. Dumaine, Paris, 1877
This historical study focuses on the final phase of the 1796 Rhine campaign during the French Revolutionary Wars, with particular attention to the death of General François Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers on 19 September 1796. It examines both the military operations of the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse and the circumstances surrounding Marceau’s fatal wounding and death during operations in Germany.
The work places Marceau’s death within the broader context of the summer campaign of 1796, when French forces under Jourdan operated along the Rhine and advanced into German territory against Austrian armies. It describes the operational movements, engagements, and logistical challenges faced by the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse as it attempted to maintain pressure on Coalition forces while coordinating with other French armies on adjacent fronts.
A significant portion of the book is devoted to Marceau himself—his military career, leadership qualities, and reputation among both French and enemy officers. The author also reconstructs the tactical situation leading to his mortal wounding, as well as the emotional and symbolic impact of his death on the French army during an already difficult campaign.
Beyond the biographical focus, the study provides a detailed account of the 1796 operations along the Rhine, including troop movements, command decisions, and the broader strategic consequences of the campaign’s outcome. It reflects the French military historical tradition of the late 19th century, combining narrative history with archival research and battlefield analysis.
While centered on French operations, the work indirectly references Coalition forces operating in the region, including Austrian and German contingents engaged in the same theater, making it useful for understanding the broader operational environment of the Rhine campaigns in 1796.
