Charles-Étienne Gudin de La Sablonnière

Charles-Étienne César Gudin de la Sablonnière was a French general who served during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. A schoolmate of Napoleon Bonaparte at the military school of Brienne-le-Château, Gudin made a career in the army of the ancien régime and the French Revolution. He was promoted to general of division in 1800 and obtained command of a division under Marshal Davout under the First French Empire. Gudin was widely regarded as one of the most capable officers in the Grande Armée and distinguished himself at the battles of Auerstaedt, Eylau, Eckmühl and Wagram, where he demonstrated his talents as a tactician. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Valutino during the Russian campaign on 19 August 1812.