François-Joseph Westermann
Date of Birth
September 5, 1751
Date of Death
April 5, 1794
About
Born at Molsheim in Alsace, François-Joseph Westermann had served in the cavalry before becoming active in revolutionary politics. He took a prominent part in the attack on the Tuileries on 10 August 1792, which overthrew the monarchy, and later served under General Dumouriez in the northern armies. Arrested after Dumouriez defected to the Austrians in April 1793, Westermann was cleared and sent as a brigadier general against the Vendéan insurgents. He captured Parthenay but suffered defeats at Châtillon and Entrammes against La Rochejaquelein. His cavalry later played a prominent part in the pursuit of the insurgent army at Le Mans and Savenay. Recalled to Paris amid disputes over his conduct in the Vendée, Westermann was defended in the Convention by Philippeaux, who was attacking the generals and officials responsible for directing the western campaign. When Philippeaux was arrested with Danton, Desmoulins and Delacroix at the end of March 1794, the governing committees treated Westermann as part of the same alleged conspiracy. Arrested on 2 April, after their trial had begun, he was added to the defendants and executed with them on 5 April.