Jean Rohu (1771-1849)
Jean Rohu
Jean Rohu was born in the village of Pontneuf, Plouharnel, into a family of sailors. He was educated at Saint-Yves College in Vannes where he had the future general-in-chief of the Catholic and Royalist Army of Brittany, Georges Cadoudal, as a classmate. He left the college in 1791 and spent a short time at sea on a lugger owned by his older brother, Vincent-Michel. During this time they rescued some priests who were sheltering on the island of Houat, and took them to Spain so that they might escape execution.
In 1795, he put himself at the service of Georges Cadoudal who, in reward for the bravery he showed in an attack on "blue" soldiers on the road from Auray to Landévant, appointed him captain of the parish of Carnac. Following many feats of arms he was given command of the canton of Quiberon. Jean took an active part in the Quiberon expedition (see below), but, discouraged by the failure of the mission and the irresponsible attitude of its leaders, considered leaving the Chouan militia. Cadoudal convinced him to reconsider his decision, supported by the Comte d'Artois himself, who appointed him Lieutenant Colonel-Major of the Legion d'Auray.
The following years saw him participate in many battles. He writes in his memoirs: ‘we could have killed at least ten thousand men a month in the Republic, without losing a hundred of ours, so much the knowledge of the country and its inhabitants offered us benefits, and so much we were perfected in the different ways of surprising our enemy and escaping his pursuit, when we were not the strongest.’
In 1795, he put himself at the service of Georges Cadoudal who, in reward for the bravery he showed in an attack on "blue" soldiers on the road from Auray to Landévant, appointed him captain of the parish of Carnac. Following many feats of arms he was given command of the canton of Quiberon. Jean took an active part in the Quiberon expedition (see below), but, discouraged by the failure of the mission and the irresponsible attitude of its leaders, considered leaving the Chouan militia. Cadoudal convinced him to reconsider his decision, supported by the Comte d'Artois himself, who appointed him Lieutenant Colonel-Major of the Legion d'Auray.
The following years saw him participate in many battles. He writes in his memoirs: ‘we could have killed at least ten thousand men a month in the Republic, without losing a hundred of ours, so much the knowledge of the country and its inhabitants offered us benefits, and so much we were perfected in the different ways of surprising our enemy and escaping his pursuit, when we were not the strongest.’
Jean Rohu's Memoirs (view full translation)
'Being one of the superior officers who were involved in the civil wars of Morbihan during the Revolution, and desiring to give an idea of what happened in that country at that period of sorrowful memory, I undertake to make recital of what concerns me in particular and of what, to my knowledge, the men of this country did who more particularly devoted themselves to the cause of religion and the legitimacy (of Royalty).'
'Being one of the superior officers who were involved in the civil wars of Morbihan during the Revolution, and desiring to give an idea of what happened in that country at that period of sorrowful memory, I undertake to make recital of what concerns me in particular and of what, to my knowledge, the men of this country did who more particularly devoted themselves to the cause of religion and the legitimacy (of Royalty).'
In 1799 and 1800, he took part in the third Chouannerie. He was created Chevalier de St. Louis promoted to Colonel of the Division of Auray, directed by Cadoudal. In 1804, Cadoudal was captured and Rohu was arrested. He was incarcerated in the prison of Vannes, then moved to Paris, where he was transferred to the Temple, in the upper room occupied by Louis XVI in 1792. He was eventually permitted to return to Plouharnel but took up arms again during the Chouannerie of 1815. Following the Restoration of the Monarchy, he was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and was granted a modest pension, He served as mayor of Plouharnel from 1815-1826. In 1830, following the July Revolution, his pension was withdrawn. He retired to St. Helena where he died on 20 August, 1849.
In the History of the Military Vendée (Crétineaux-Joly) Jean Rohu is described as ‘the most intrepid of the Chouans, …the most skilful of pilots.’ He was said to be ‘as hard on himself as he was on his subordinates… always ready to raise his head’. He despised money. When, after the restoration of Louis XVII, he was directed by the royalists of Morbihan to plead their cause in Paris, he did not even register himself as an officer in order to receive funds granted to servants of the royal cause (Prosper Levot, Breton Biography). Ch. De Keranflec'h, in his preface to the first edition of his memoirs, describes him as ‘strongly built, both physically and morally.’ He adds that Jean Rohu had preserved ‘until the end a robust health’ and that, when he was 78 years old, ‘he still made the road from Saint Helena to Carnac quite easily’ (18 km walk). He had adopted the motto of the Dukes of Brittany: ‘Poties mori, quam foedari’ (Rather die than fail).
In the History of the Military Vendée (Crétineaux-Joly) Jean Rohu is described as ‘the most intrepid of the Chouans, …the most skilful of pilots.’ He was said to be ‘as hard on himself as he was on his subordinates… always ready to raise his head’. He despised money. When, after the restoration of Louis XVII, he was directed by the royalists of Morbihan to plead their cause in Paris, he did not even register himself as an officer in order to receive funds granted to servants of the royal cause (Prosper Levot, Breton Biography). Ch. De Keranflec'h, in his preface to the first edition of his memoirs, describes him as ‘strongly built, both physically and morally.’ He adds that Jean Rohu had preserved ‘until the end a robust health’ and that, when he was 78 years old, ‘he still made the road from Saint Helena to Carnac quite easily’ (18 km walk). He had adopted the motto of the Dukes of Brittany: ‘Poties mori, quam foedari’ (Rather die than fail).
The Chouans
Members of the Chouannerie wait in ambush of Republican soldiers
The Chouans were peasant farmers in Western France who rose against the French Revolutionary government in 1793. One of their first leaders was Jean Cottereau, traditionally nicknamed Jean Chouan, marquis de La Rouerie (John the owl, marquess of Mischief), and the Chouans supposedly used the hoot of an owl as a signal. The movement belatedly made common cause with the rising in the Vendée, which was beginning to weaken at the time.
The Chouans were motivated by their opposition to specific policies of the new republican government that interfered with their way of life, including religious policy and enforcement of the conscription laws. The name Chouannerie continued to be used in reference to guerrilla warfare that lasted until Napoleon.
The Chouans were motivated by their opposition to specific policies of the new republican government that interfered with their way of life, including religious policy and enforcement of the conscription laws. The name Chouannerie continued to be used in reference to guerrilla warfare that lasted until Napoleon.
The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 27 June-22 July 1795
Fort Penthiève Quiberon
In the summer of 1795, Britain dispatched a force of French émigrés and recently recanted Republican prisoners of war, under Commodore John Warren and the Counts de Puisaye and d'Hervilly. It aimed to raise the whole of western France in revolt, bring an end to the French Revolution and restore the French monarchy. An initial party of 3,500 men, later joined by a further 1,500, were landed on the Quiberon peninsula. Much was expected from a rising of the local Royalists, ‘les Chouans’, but full co-operation foundered on the hesitation of the landing forces, poor liaison and a general mistrust of Puisaye.
The Republican commander, General Hoche acted vigorously against the landings and the venture was soon abandoned. Less than half of the original landing force re-embarked, some 6,000 (of whom 748 were executed) surrendering to the Republican troops. It had a major impact, dealing a disastrous blow to the Royalist cause. Jean Rohu fought in this engagement. The picture shows Fort Penthiève on the Quiberon Peninsula, scene of some of the fighting.
The Republican commander, General Hoche acted vigorously against the landings and the venture was soon abandoned. Less than half of the original landing force re-embarked, some 6,000 (of whom 748 were executed) surrendering to the Republican troops. It had a major impact, dealing a disastrous blow to the Royalist cause. Jean Rohu fought in this engagement. The picture shows Fort Penthiève on the Quiberon Peninsula, scene of some of the fighting.