Pál Kray Baron Pál Kray de Krajova et Topolya ( ; ; February 5 , 1735 , - January 19 , 1804 ) was a Hungarian soldier who joined the Austrian Army during the French Revolutionary Wars . Biography . Early career . Kray was born in Késmárk , Upper Hungary ( today : Kežmarok , Slovakia ) . He was educated in mathematical and other military sciences in Schemnitz and Vienna . Entering the Austrian army at the age of 19 , he arrived somewhat rapidly at the grade of major , but it was many years before he had any opportunity of distinguishing himself . In 1784 he suppressed a rising in Transylvania , and in the Austro - Turkish War ( 1787 - 1791 ) he took an active part at Porczeny and the Vulcan Pass . War of the First Coalition . Made General - Major in 1790 , three years later , he commanded the advance guard of the Allies under Prince Coburg operating in Flanders and the Austrian Netherlands . He distinguished himself at Famars , Menin , Wissembourg , Charleroi , Fleurus , and , indeed , at almost every encounter with the troops of the French Republic . On 4 March 1796 he received promotion to Feldmarschal - Leutnant . In the celebrated campaign of 1796 , on the Rhine and Danube , he did conspicuous service as a corps commander . At Wetzlar , he defeated Jean Kléber , and , at the battles of Amberg and Würzburg , he was largely responsible for the victory of the Archduke Charles of Austria . In the following year , he was less successful , being defeated on the Lahn , at Mainz , and in the Battle of Neuwied . War of the Second Coalition . Kray commanded in Italy in 1799 , and reconquered the plain of Lombardy from the French . He won a sharp action at Legnago on 26 March . For his victory over the French at the Battle of Magnano on 5 April , he was promoted Feldzeugmeister ( artillery lieutenant general ) . This victory caused a deep withdrawal by the French army to the Adda River . Nevertheless , Kray was replaced when Michael von Melas arrived to take command of the Austrian forces . While the field army won two more major battles , Kray conducted the successful sieges of Peschiera del Garda and Mantua . At the Battle of Novi , he commanded the divisions of Peter Ott and Heinrich Bellegarde . On 6 November , he was defeated by the French in a second clash at Novi Ligure . The following year he commanded on the Rhine against Jean Moreau . As a consequence of his defeats at the battles of Stockach , Messkirch , Biberach , Iller River , and Höchstädt , Kray was driven into Ulm . However , by a skillful march round Moreau ' s flank he succeeded in escaping to Bohemia . After a 15 July truce became effective he was relieved of his command by Emperor Francis II and dismissed from the service . Kray ' s successor , Archduke John of Austria was disastrously defeated at the Battle of Hohenlinden in December . Kray died in Pest , Hungary on 19 January 1804 . Commentary . Kray was one of the best representatives of the old Austrian army . Tied to an obsolete system , and unable , from habit , to realise the changed conditions of warfare , he failed , but his enemies held him in the highest respect as a brave , skilful , and chivalrous opponent . It was he who , at Altenkirchen , cared for the dying Marceau ( 1796 ) , and the white uniforms of Kray and his staff mingled with the blue of the French in the funeral procession of the young general of the Republic .