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Joseph Sulkowski (Józef Sułkowski, c. 1770, Palatinate of Poznań – 22 October 1798, Cairo, Egypt) was a Polish captain in the French Revolutionary Army and friend and aide de camp to Napoleon Bonaparte. He also became friends with Muiron, Vivant Denon, Lazare Carnot, Augereau, and Bourienne. His name is engraved on the Arc de Triomphe, on the 28th column, as SULKOSKY.
Joseph Sulkowski | |
|---|---|
 Józef Sułkowski by Antoni Brodowski | |
| Born | c. 1770 Palatinate of Poznań |
| Died | 22 October 1798 Cairo, Ottoman Egypt |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of France, First French Republic |
| Service/ | Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | |
Life
editPoland
editSulkowski joined the Polish Army soon after the death on 7 January 1786 of his uncle August Kazimierz Sułkowski. He participated in the Polish–Russian War of 1792. He left for France in 1793.
France
editIn Paris he made plans for enlisting with Tipu Sultan in India. On his way to India, while at Constantinople his plans were interrupted on hearing news of the Kościuszko Uprising, however fresh plans of joining Tadeusz Kościuszko were put to an end by news of the Battle of Maciejowice. On his return to Paris he sought a capitaine's commission in the French army on 1 May 1796.
Italy
editA fine strategist, he played an important role in the first Italian campaign. It was his bravery that led to the capture of the Saint-George batteries. He was wounded at the battle of Arcole.
Malta
editOn arrival of the French fleet at Malta, Sulkowski distinguished himself to Napoleon during the capture of Malta.
Egypt
editAfter is arrival in Egypt 1 July 1798, Napoleon provisionally promoted him to chef d'escadrons on 6 July 1798. The following month on 11 August he was badly wounded the Battle of Salahieh. Afterwards he was named a member of the Institut d'Égypte.[1][2] He died in the revolt of Cairo on 22 October 1798, his body could not be buried properly and was left to rot and be eaten by animals. On hearing of his death Bonaparte showed remorse and, asked why he did not honour him more when he was alive, replied "On first meeting him, I saw in him a commander in chief". Dying too young, Carnot would have seen in him a potential replacement for the future emperor. Shortly before his death, he had married one of the daughters of Venture de Paradis, an old military interpreter and scientist on the Egyptian expedition.
References
edit- ^ Jensen, Nathan D. (June 2018). "Józef Sułkowski". frenchempire.net. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ Michaud (1840). Biographie Universelle, Ancienne, et Moderne (LXXXIII:87. ed.). Paris, Chez Michaud Frères, 1812-1862). Retrieved 26 September 2024.
