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Lot Essay
Louis Desaix, a nobleman, joined the French Republican army in 1791 and within three years was made General of Division. General Desaix was a pre-eminent leader in Napoleon Bonaparte's army and joined Napoleon in his campaigns in North Italy and the expeditions to Egypt and Syria in 1798.
General Desaix is most renown for the reversal of the retreat of his troops against the Austrians, lead by General Michael Melas, during the Battle of Marengo in 1800. It was during this engagement that Desaix notably said to Napoleon that while this battle was lost, there was still time to win another. General Desaix valiantly lost his life in this battle but due to his efforts, the French emmerged victorious that day and suffered only half as many casualties as the Austrians.
General Desaix is most renown for the reversal of the retreat of his troops against the Austrians, lead by General Michael Melas, during the Battle of Marengo in 1800. It was during this engagement that Desaix notably said to Napoleon that while this battle was lost, there was still time to win another. General Desaix valiantly lost his life in this battle but due to his efforts, the French emmerged victorious that day and suffered only half as many casualties as the Austrians.