Vivien Gérin-Lajoie
Vivien Gérin-Lajoie | |
|---|---|
 Full length engraving of Patriote General Vivien Gérin-Lajoie. | |
| Born | April 22, 1729 Rivière-Rouge, Upper Cassier |
| Died | December 31, 1769 (aged 39) Château Lamoth, Louiseville, Lower Cassier |
| Allegiance |  Gaullican Empire  Patriotes |
| Service/ | Gaullican Colonial Army (1747-1764) Patriote Army (1766-1769) |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Asterian War of Secession
|
Vivien Gérin-Lajoie (April 22, 1729 – December 31, 1769) was a Cassien politican, military general and revolutionary known for his role in the unsuccessful Patriote Rebellion during the Asterian War of Secession. A capable statesman and commanding officer, Lajoie was an important figure in post-confederation Cassier.
Lajoie was born on April 22, 1729 in the village of Rivière-Rouge in the province of Upper Cassier, present day Brelox. In 1745 he enrolled at Université de Charlesbourg in Sainte-Marie, and two years later joined the Gaullican colonial Army. He quickly proved a capable officer in Gaullica's various Asterian conflicts such as the Cobequid's War and the Maraux Rebellion where he would distinguish himself as a talented commander. He would retire from the army as a Brigadier-General in 1760 and enter politics as a Whig MP within Cassien colonial parliament. Lajoie would align closely with pro-republican members of the party as a vocal opponant of Gaullican colonial policies.
Following outbreak of the Asterian War of Secession in United Colonies Lajoie would become an early suporter of the Patriote Rebellion. He was appointed to the Republican Congress in October 1765 and was commissioned as a general in the Patriote Army in January 1766. He led several successful campaigns against Gaullican and Loyalist forces during his command, capturing important settlements and forts throughout western Cassier. Lajoie negotiated and rallied the support of several native groups disgruntled by colonial policies for the Patriote cause. Successful strikes on supply depots and unprepared Loyalist forces allowed for Lajoie's Patriote army to become a well supplied and equipped force, though a lack of support from the Cassien population would prove detrimental for the entirity of the revolt.
He would lead the Patriotes through a string of victories against Gaullican and Loyalist armies in western Cassier until late 1769. He would command the rebels at Battle of Louiseville in Lower Cassier on New Year's Eve in 1769 against a smaller but more experienced Gaullican and Loyalist force. Though initially favoured to win the engagement an unknown sharpshooter would inflict a chest wound on Lajoie, and he would die from his injuries at Château Lamoth. Without his leadership the battle would quickly turn against the Patriotes and ultimately result in a rout. After the battle Loyalists would find his body and gave him an honorable burial in the woods by the château. His remains would remain at the château before it was moved to Cassien capital of Nouvelle-Rayenne in 1945 and reburied with military honours.
Early Life
Lajoie was born in Rivière-Rouge in Upper Cassier. He was born into a family of fur traders. His father, Gérin Lajoie, was a successful and well respected coureur des bois and forester in Upper Cassier.
Lajoie spent most of his childhood accompanying his father during his exhibitions to the north where he learned to hunt, ride, shoot, and deal with aboriginal peoples. Gérin, however, desired that his sons receive a good education instead of continuing the diminishing beaver pelt trade. Vivien attended the school of the Rev. Hue Favre in the town of Timbell, where he learned Ghaillish, Solarian, and rhetoric. Lajoie went on to enter the Université de Charlesbourg in Sainte-Marie. Despite his great love of knowledge and learning Lajoie did not complete his studies at the university or receive a degree. He was instead convinced by his peers at the university and his oldest brother Alexandre to join the military which he did on September 21, 1747.
Military Career
Asteria Superior
Up