II Corps (Grande Armée)


The II Corps of the Grande Armée was a French military unit that existed during the Napoleonic Wars.

Campaigns

At its formation in 1805, General Auguste de Marmont was appointed commander of the II Corps.

War of the Third Coalition

The corps participated in the Ulm campaign before advancing southeast to serve as a flank guard. Still under Marmont, the troops then served as the garrison of the Illyrian Provinces until 1809 when they became the Army of Dalmatia and later XI Corps.

Peninsular War

A new II Corps was created in 1808 in northern Spain from troops under Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessières. Soon after, Marshal Jean-de-Dieu Soult took command of the formation. In 1810, General Jean Reynier assumed command of the II Corps in Spain until 1811 when the unit was suppressed.

War of the Fifth Coalition

Meanwhile, a parallel II Corps was created in 1809 to fight against Austria. The formation was led first by Marshal Nicolas Oudinot, then by Marshal Jean Lannes who was fatally wounded at Aspern-Essling. Oudinot then took over II Corps again and won his marshal's baton at Wagram in July 1809.

Russian campaign

Still commanded by Oudinot, the corps took part in the invasion of Russia in 1812, at which point its size was roughly 40,000 men.
6th Division
8th Division Jean-Antoine Verdier
9th Division Pierre Hugues Victoire Merle
Corps Cavalry
Sources: Les effectifs de la Grande-armée pour la campagne de Russe de 1812 - Paris 1913 Adjutant's Call of the Military Historical Society Vol. III - U.S.A.

War of the Sixth Coalition

The II Corps was reorganized in Germany in 1813, with Marshal Claude Victor-Perrin appointed to lead it.

War of The Seventh Coalition

The corps was headed by General Honoré Charles Reille in 1815 and took part in the Battle of Waterloo.