Christophe Antoine Merlin

Christophe Antoine Merlin became a French division commander during the Napoleonic Wars. He joined a volunteer regiment in 1791 and fought against the Kingdom of Spain in the War of the Pyrenees. After becoming an officer in the 4th Hussar Regiment, he participated in the Rhine and Italian campaigns. In 1805, he was promoted general of brigade and fought in Italy and in the 1806 Invasion of Naples. Later, he became an equerry to Joseph Bonaparte when that individual headed the Kingdom of Naples.