We’ve all heard of Napoleon’s Marshal’s; Soult, Ney, Murat and their peers, but scant mention is given to Wellingtons senior officers. This was could be due to Napoleon Marshal’s often having independent commands; Marshal Marmont faced Wellington at Salamanca, Marmont would also lead the invasion of Dalmatia against the Austrians and Masséna was given control of operations against the Kingdom of Naples. The large area Napoleon had conquered made this inevitable, it was helped by the fact he could choose his own men (albeit these promotions were not always on merit and ability: politics wasn’t ever far from the surface when such “baubles” were awarded). On the whole Wellington got what he was given by the Commander in Chief at “Horse Guards”, limited to one front allowed Wellington to command the campaigns, they are Wellington’s victories and not his subordinates.
