Madison's General: Moreau in the War of 1812

[History Learner]

As a result of the activities of the Club Moreau organized by his wife and the escalating rivalry with Napoleon, Jean Victor Marie Moreau would be forced into exile by the latter in 1804. Seeking refuge in the United States, the victor of the Battle of Hohenlinden would spend the next several years in a retirement of sorts, refusing offers of command by American authorities until the outbreak of the War of 1812. Allegedly, Moreau was inclined to agree to such a position until he received news of Napoleon's defeat in Russia; with inducements offered by the Tsar of Russia to join Russian service and with his wife's encouragement, he would return to Europe and ultimately die after being mortally wounded at the Battle of Dresden.

So, given the influence his wife held over his decision making, let's say she has an unfortunate bout with Yellow Fever or such sometime between 1804 and 1812. After several years of mourning his beloved wife, Moreau ultimately takes an American wife and becomes more firmly rooted in his adopted home. When the War of 1812 breaks out, Moreau doesn't hesitate and accepts Madison's offer to command the U.S. Army against the British. Moreau was considered an excellent commander, having won numerous victories, so would his experience and command abilities enable the American armies to achieve decisive success in Canada?

Likewise, what would be the impact of no Moreau in 1813, during the German Campaign of the Sixth Coalition? While not having a direct command role, Moreau in his advisory capacity influenced Allied strategy via Tsar Alexander:

Logistic support, set up for an advance on Leipzig, soon broke down in the advance to Dresden. The effects of countermarching and the wet, rainy weather further fatigued and slowed the advance of the Allies. The lead elements of the Army of Bohemia arrived south of Dresden on 25 August; cold, tired, wet, and hungry. Napoleon was not yet there. Instead of attacking while Napoleon was still absent, another war council was held by the "military college" accompanying the army. Schwarzenberg and Jomini supported the Tsar's desire for an immediate attack, but Moreau and Toll advised against it. The attack was eventually put off until the next day, when discussion as to its merit resumed while the troops formed up for battle.​

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Marshal Gouvion St. Cyr opposed the Allies at Dresden. He earned his Marshal's baton in Russia at Polotsk fighting just the type of battle the Allies now contemplated. The Allied skirmishers had already found Dresden's walled houses and gardens well fortified in response to their threatened assault. It was at this point that St. Cyr's master dramatically arrived. Once Napoleon's arrival became known the mood at headquarters rapidly changed and Alexander now favored a withdrawal, in accordance with the advice he had received from Moreau. The Prussian King, unfortunately for the Allies, asserted himself and urged the attack to continue.​

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Without the influence of Moreau, it's possible the Tsar goes along with the attack on the 25th, which would leave the Allies badly exposed when Napoleon arrives. If Russian reserves are forced to be fully committed, that would result in a latter disaster as it would allow Vandamme's Corps to successfully cut off the Allied retreat at the Battle of Kulm. Such would result in the encirclement and likely destruction of the Allied armies; might Napoleon and they agree to the Frankfurt proposals as a result?

 

[History Learner]

So, Moreau's experience would probably be invaluable for the U.S. Army, given he know how to make the most of the conditions he found in his new posting as he had in the French Army during the 1790s; poorly equipped, trained and organized troops but with a lot of elan. With Britain tied down on the continent for longer, at a minimum, it's likely Moreau could organize the U.S. Army into a force sufficient to overrun most of Canada. By the time the UK could divert attention, it would thus be presented with a fait accompli.