Claim: Richepanse, born in Metz as the son of an officer of the Conti-Dragooon Regiment, distinguished himself in the early battles of the French Revolutionary War, and by 1794, had been promoted to général de brigade (the lowest ranking general officer).
Evidence: Richepanse was born in Metz as the son of an officer of the Conti-Dragooon Regiment. When the French Revolution started Richepanse distinguished himself in the early battles of the French Revolutionary War and by 1794 he had been promoted to général de brigade. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general.