Background
Humbert was born in Saint-Nabord in 1755 of humble parentage and orphaned at an early age.
Humbert was born in Saint-Nabord in 1755 of humble parentage and orphaned at an early age.
He earned his livelihood as best he could until 1792 when he organized a company of volunteers to help protect invaded France. Within two years he became general of brigade taking an active part in Jacobin circles in Paris. Sent into Vendée, he soon took a leading rôle in the merciless pacification of that revolted province. In 1798 he was in Ireland hoping to join Irish revolutionists against the English. The English overwhelmed his little French army, but Humbert was exchanged and was soon on his way to join Masséna under whom he was wounded near Zurich in 1799.
His next activity was with Le Clerc in the expedition to Santo Domingo which captured the leader of black revolt, Toussaint L'Ouverture. By winning the affection of Le Clerc's widow, Pauline Bonaparte, whom Napoleon had destined to marry a Borghese, Humbert incurred Napoleon's displeasure. Exiled in Brittany, he fled to the United States, apparently arriving in New Orleans in 1814. He took an active part in the battle of New Orleans, delighted at the opportunity to fight the English. He directed the mounted scouts and was commended by Jackson in General Orders of January 21, 1815, for having "continually exposed himself to the greatest dangers with characteristic bravery". The following year Humbert joined a filibustering expedition to Mexico, hoping to take part in the Mexican war of liberation, but he arrived too late.
Returning to New Orleans, he taught school, ending his years in dissipation, and dying of dysentery after a long illness. The French Restauration paid him a pension for a short while. The records of the Saint Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, show that he was buried in the parochial cemetery on January 3, 1823. He was accorded a military burial and his funeral was well attended.
Louisiana tradition paints him as tall, possessor of a pleasant personality and good manners.
