Charles, a famous general of the French republic, was the son of humble parents, and was born in 1761 at Arbois in Franche-Comté. His education was favourable for the development of his talents. He received his elementary instruction at the monastery of the Minims. After that he studied mathematics at the college of Brienne, the seminary which the young Napoleon Bonaparte was at that time attending. Then entering a regiment of artillery, he acquired, as he passed through the several gradations from a common soldier up to a sergeant-major, a practical knowledge of military tactics. Thus thoroughly trained, Pichegru only wanted some great opportunity to rise into notice. Accordingly, no sooner had the French revolution broken out, and the army of the Rhine received him within its ranks, than a career of distinction opened up before him. He rapidly rose by the several steps of promotion to the post of general of division. His growing fame then recommended him, in 1793, as a fit person for the chief command of the expedition. Undertaking the precarious task, he set himself to improve the adverse state of affairs. Discipline was enforced, a new system of tactics was introduced, and the self-confidence of the troops was restored. He led them on to the victory of Hagenau, the relief of Landau, and the capture of Lauterburg. Still greater was his success after he had been appointed in 1794 to the command of the army of the north. His firmness and decision soon turned the tide of success against the invaders of his country. The enemies fled before him at Cassel, Courtrai, and Menin, and left all West Flanders in his power. Bruges, Bois-le-Duc, and Nimuegen were compelled to open their gates to his advancing troops. The waters of the Wahl only checked his victorious career for a short time. Taking advantage of an intense frost which froze up the rivers, he crossed on the ice, pressed forward with forced marches, drove the retreating enemy beyond the Yssel, took possession of Amsterdam on the 16th January 1795, and thus effected the conquest of Holland. This was the close of Pichegru's military successes, and the remainder of his life was occupied in endeavouring to effect the restoration of the Bourbons. Appointed to the command of the army of the Rhine, he entered into negotiations with the Prince Condé for the purpose of overthrowing the republic. Having retired in 1796 from military life, and having been chosen in 1797 to be president of the Council of Five Hundred, he still continued to plot. A discovery, a trial, and a banishment to Cayenne did not divert him from his designs. Escaping from his prescribed place of exile, he repaired to England only to involve himself in a desperate conspiracy which was destined to end in his own ruin. In course of time he planned a scheme, along with George Cadoudal, for the destruction of the government of the First Consul; and in January 1804 repaired to Paris, like the other accomplices, to carry it into execution. The plot was discovered; his person was seized, and lodged in the Temple; and on the 6th April 1804 he was found strangled in his cell. For a long time afterwards it was supposed that Pichegru had been murdered by order of Napoleon. It is now, however, generally agreed that he had committed suicide. (For an account of the evidence belonging to the case, see France.)