General Jean-Victor Moreau was one of the most talented commanders produced by Revolutionary France—and the one man many believed could rival Napoleon Bonaparte himself. A master of maneuver and defense, Moreau’s victories in Germany made him a national hero and a potential threat to Napoleon’s rise.

In this episode, we explore Moreau’s military career, from his stunning success at Hohenlinden (1800)—one of the most decisive French victories of the Revolutionary Wars—to his growing political tension with Napoleon after the creation of the Empire. We examine why Napoleon exiled Moreau, how personal rivalry and politics shaped his downfall, and why France lost one of its finest generals as a result.

The story continues with Moreau’s years in exile in the United States and his dramatic return to Europe to fight against Napoleon alongside the Coalition. His fatal wounding at the Battle of Dresden (1813) turned his life into a tragic symbol of the Revolution devouring its own heroes.

Was General Moreau a cautious genius, a political rival Napoleon could not tolerate, or the greatest general France never fully used? This episode reassesses his legacy and explains why his name still haunts comparisons to Napoleon.

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This episode is sponsored by NapoleonicImpressions.com.

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Robert “Black Bob” Craufurd was one of the most feared and respected officers in the British Army during the Peninsular War. Known for his iron discipline, explosive temper, and uncompromising standards, Craufurd forged the legendary Light Division into one of the most effective fighting forces of the Napoleonic Wars.

In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb will explore Craufurd’s military career, from his early service to his crucial role under the Duke of Wellington in Spain and Portugal. We examine how his relentless training, strict enforcement of discipline, and mastery of skirmish tactics allowed the Light Division to operate independently, screen the army, and fight French veterans on equal terms.

The story follows Craufurd through key moments such as the Coa River incident, his controversial decisions, and his heroic death at the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (1812), where he was mortally wounded while directing troops under fire. His death was deeply felt across the army—and even Wellington acknowledged the loss of one of his most capable commanders.

Was “Black Bob” a brutal officer or a necessary leader who saved lives through discipline? This episode examines why Craufurd’s methods were harsh—but effective—and why his legacy still defines elite light infantry doctrine.

If you’re interested in Wellington’s generals, the Peninsular War, and elite Napoleonic units, this episode is a must-watch.

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X/Twitter: @mcribbhistory, @andnapoleon

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Spanish generals Gregorio García de la Cuesta and Joaquín Blake y Joyes played crucial—and often controversial—roles in Spain’s fight against Napoleon during the Peninsular War (1808–1814). Tasked with resisting some of France’s finest marshals, both men struggled with outdated armies, political interference, and the brutal reality of Napoleonic warfare.

General Cuesta, stubborn and aggressive, is best remembered for his actions at Medina del Rioseco, Talavera, and his uneasy alliance with Sir Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington). His refusal to adapt to modern tactics made him both a symbol of defiance and a liability on the battlefield.

In contrast, General Blake was one of Spain’s more capable commanders, attempting to reform and professionalize Spanish forces at battles like Zornoza, Espinosa, and Albuera. Despite his efforts, Blake was often undermined by poor coordination and overwhelming French superiority.

In this episode, special guest Joshua Provan will explore:

• Spain’s military leadership crisis

• Cuesta’s confrontations with both the French and his allies

• Blake’s battles against the French

• How Spanish generals shaped—and struggled within—the wider Napoleonic Wars

X/Twitter: @landofhistory, @andnapoleon

For bonus content: www.patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon

"Russia has no good generals. The only exception is Bagration." -Napoleon.

Russian General Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration was one of the most aggressive and respected commanders to face Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars. A disciple of Alexander Suvorov, Bagration earned a fearsome reputation for his courage, battlefield instincts, and refusal to retreat—often fighting in the thick of the action alongside his soldiers.

Best known for his role in the 1805 campaign, the brutal actions of 1807, and his legendary stand at Borodino in 1812, Bagration commanded the Russian left wing during one of the bloodiest battles of the era. His defense of the Bagration Fleches became a symbol of Russian resistance, where he was mortally wounded while personally directing the fight.

In this episode, we examine:

• Bagration’s rise in the Russian army

• His role in delaying Napoleon during the 1812 invasion of Russia

• Why Napoleon himself regarded Bagration as one of his most dangerous opponents

Join us for this episode on the dynamic Prince Bagration with special guest Jimmy Chen of NapoleonicImpressions.com. 

X/Twitter: @napoleonic_imp, @andnapoleon

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General Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly was the architect of the strategy that ultimately defeated Napoleon in 1812—yet he was one of the most criticized commanders of the entire Napoleonic Wars. Calm, methodical, and deeply unpopular, Barclay chose survival over glory as Napoleon’s Grand Army advanced into Russia.

Barclay implemented a controversial scorched-earth strategy, trading space for time and preserving the Russian army at the cost of public outrage. Accused of cowardice and even treason, he endured attacks from politicians, officers, and fellow generals—while executing the only strategy capable of defeating Napoleon.

In this episode, special guest & author Alexander Mikaberidze explores:

• Barclay’s background as a Baltic German in Russian service

• His rivalry with General Bagration and the tension within the Russian command

• His role in the retreat to Smolensk and the road to Borodino

• How history ultimately vindicated his strategy in 1812

Essential viewing for fans of Napoleon, the 1812 invasion of Russia, Borodino, Kutuzov, and the strategic side of the Napoleonic Era.

X/Twitter: @amikaberidze, @andnapoleon

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French General Jean-Andoche Junot, Duke of Abrantès, was one of Napoleon’s earliest companions and most loyal supporters—but also one of his most tragic commanders. Known for his personal bravery and volatile temperament, Junot rose rapidly during the Revolutionary Wars and followed Napoleon from Toulon to the heights of imperial command and almost to Marshal status.

Junot is best remembered for leading the French invasion of Portugal in 1807, where he captured Lisbon without a major battle, only to lose control of the country amid rebellion, British intervention, and his own increasingly erratic behavior. His defeat during the Peninsular War—culminating in the Convention of Cintra—marked the beginning of a steep personal and professional decline.

In this episode, special guest Charles Mackay will examine:

• Junot’s early friendship with Napoleon

• His governorship of Portugal and the collapse of French control

• His battlefield courage versus his failures as an independent commander

• His mental health struggles and tragic end

A compelling portrait for fans of Napoleon, the Peninsular War, Portugal 1807–1808, French generals, and the human cost of the Napoleonic Era.

Bluesky: @bubblesvampire.bsky.social, @andnapoleon.bsky.social

For bonus content: www.patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon

British General Rowland Hill, later Viscount Hill, was one of the Duke of Wellington’s most reliable and respected subordinates during the Peninsular War. Calm under pressure and universally liked by his soldiers, Hill combined tactical skill with genuine concern for the men he commanded—earning him the nickname “Daddy Hill.”

Hill played key roles in some of the war’s most important actions, including Talavera, Bussaco, Vitoria, and the invasion of southern France. Often entrusted with independent commands, he repeatedly outmaneuvered French marshals through speed, surprise, and disciplined execution—qualities Wellington valued above all.

In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb will explore:

• Hill’s rise through the British Army

• His partnership with Wellington and independent command style

• His victories against French forces in Spain and Portugal

• Why Hill was one of the most effective British generals of the Napoleonic Wars

Essential viewing for fans of Wellington, the Peninsular War, British generals, Napoleon, and the wider Napoleonic Era.

X/Twitter: @mcribbhistory, @andnapoleon

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Prince Eugène de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s stepson, was one of the most capable and underrated commanders of the Napoleonic Wars. Often dismissed as a beneficiary of nepotism, Eugène repeatedly proved himself as a disciplined, loyal, and effective leader on some of the empire’s hardest battlefields.

As Viceroy of Italy, Eugène commanded French and allied forces during the 1809 Italian campaign, fighting battles at Sacile before recovering to win important victories at Raab and supporting Napoleon at Wagram. He later played a crucial role in the 1812 invasion of Russia, where his leadership during the retreat helped preserve what remained of the Grand Army.

In this episode, we explore:

• Eugène’s rise from revolutionary officer to imperial prince

• His command in Italy and recovery after early setbacks

• His performance during the 1812 campaign and retreat from Russia

• Why Napoleon trusted Eugène with independent command

Essential viewing for fans of Napoleon, Italian campaigns, Wagram, the 1812 campaign, and the often-overlooked commanders of the Napoleonic Era.

X/Twitter: @andnapoleon

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Pasquale Paoli was the father of Corsican nationalism and one of the most influential political figures of the late 18th century, whose ideas and actions shaped the world Napoleon grew up in. A soldier, statesman, and revolutionary thinker, Paoli fought for Corsican independence long before Napoleon rose to power.

As leader of the Corsican resistance against Genoese and French rule, Paoli established a short-lived Corsican republic with one of Europe’s earliest written constitutions. Though admired across Enlightenment Europe, his later break with Revolutionary France placed him on a collision course with the young Napoleon and the Bonaparte family—forcing them into exile.

In this episode, the host of the "Age of Napoleon" podcast Everett Rummage will explore:

• Paoli’s role in creating a Corsican national identity

• His conflict with Revolutionary France and Napoleon’s family

• The Anglo-Corsican Kingdom and British involvement

• How Paoli’s legacy shaped Napoleon’s early political worldview

Essential listening for fans of Napoleon, Corsican history, revolutionary movements, Enlightenment politics, and the origins of the Napoleonic Era

Twitter: @ageofnapoleon, @andnapoleon

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Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov was the commander who finally broke Napoleon’s momentum during the 1812 invasion of Russia. Veteran, cautious, and politically savvy, Kutuzov understood that defeating Napoleon did not require destroying the French army in one battle—only surviving it.

Taking command after the retreat from Smolensk, Kutuzov faced enormous pressure to fight. He chose the ground at Borodino, the bloodiest single day of the Napoleonic Wars, then refused to sacrifice the army for Moscow. By abandoning the city and forcing Napoleon deeper into Russia, Kutuzov set the conditions for the catastrophic French retreat.

In this episode, special guest and author Alexander Mikaberidze explores:

• Kutuzov’s long military career and rivalry with Napoleon

• His relationship with Barclay de Tolly and the Russian high command

• The decisions at Borodino and the evacuation of Moscow

• Why patience—not brilliance—defeated Napoleon in 1812

Essential for fans of Napoleon, the 1812 campaign, Borodino, Russian generals, and the strategic realities of the Napoleonic Era.

Twitter: @amikaberidze, @andnapoleon

For bonus content: www.patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon