Ney, Michel

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Ney, Michel (1769–1815) French general, one of the most brilliant of Napoleon I's commanders. Ney fought in the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars, notably at Friedland (1807) and in the retreat from Moscow (1812). He urged Napoleon to abdicate in 1814 and accepted the Bourbon restoration, but rejoined Napoleon during the Hundred Days and fought gallantly in the Waterloo campaign. He was subsequently executed as a traitor.

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