~ 
240 
_tolerably contented, though he did not 
totally correct his extravagance and want 
eNforefight. 
This period was, however, highly ad- 
vantageous tohim. He ftudied his pro- 
feffion with the greateft care, and labour- 
ed to obtain a thorough knowledge of it. 
He employed himfelf more attentively in 
the peruial of good authors, and the cul- 
tivationof his mind gave new force to his 
philofophical fyftem. 
It was during this interval of repofe 
that the Revolution happened, and epen- 
ed a career in which he developed thofe 
talents which had hitherto been buried, 
and which he empioved as advantageoufly 
for his country as conformably to his own 
talte.’ , . 
Scareely was the Revolution announced, 
when Kleber became one of its moit en- 
thufiaftic partizans. He exerted himfelf 
with eminent zeal either in arranging the 
private meafures of thofe municipalities 
in which.he had any influence, or in guid. 
img the choice of the popular aflemblies to 
men of merit and energy, and worthy of 
reprefenting the people. 
At this time it was repreachfully faid 
that his principles were carried to excefs, 
e!pecially at Strafburg, where, at one of 
the cle€iions; his enemies, in order to pre- 
vent his being ehofen Deputy, brought 
this charge againit him, although they 
knew it to be totally void of foundation : 
it neverthelefs ferved to keep him at a 
difiance. Yet never had thofe wio were 
advocates for the levelling-fyftem, a more 
open enemy, or one who tock leis pains to 
eonceal his way of thinking. 
Kleber had, from the beginning of the 
Revolution, entertained ‘hopes that it 
would deliver him from the embacrafl- 
ments he laboured under, and enable him 
to obtain fome fituation which might in- 
demnify him for that which he loft by the 
new order of things. Such were his ex- 
pectations ; though as yet he knew. not 
hoyv they were to be realized. 
The firit battalions of voluntecrs were 
now orgenized; and_as the Jaw for that 
purpofe required 
fhould have an adjutant from among 
the officers of the line, he was perfuaded to 
apply tor one of thefe places. General 
Wimpfen, who then commanded at Bri- 
fach, eagerly complied with his requeit, 
at the folicitation of feveral members of 
the department. 
at Ribeauvilliers, two Icagues  diitant 
from Colmar, which he found already 
formed, but badly organized, and in the 
greateft diforder. He was reccived like 
Biographical Account of General Kleber. 
that each battalion | 
He joined his battalion’. 
Oa 1, 
afon by his commanding officer, whe 
immediately placed the battalion under 
his fole and fupreme direction ; and by, 
this means it became one of the beft in 
the army.* ‘’ 
Kleber, after paffing fix months at Ri- 
beauvilliers, was fent with his battalion 
into the department of Ain. His ftay in 
this latter place was but fhort, as_ he re- 
ceived orders to join the army of Cuftine 
in the neighbourhood of Men‘z. 
Under a fuppefition that he might ob- 
tain promotion more rapidly by an ap- 
pointmen: to the ftaif than by remaining 
with his regiment, he now-took the refo- 
lution of going to Porentruy, where Ge- 
neral Ferrieres commanded, and of re- 
quefting the fi:uation of aide-de-camp.— 
The General, although he received him 
with great affabiiity, thought proper to 
refufe his demand, upon which he fet out 
for Mentz. 
The events which took place at the 
fiege of this city are well known. Gene- 
rai Cuftine, at once unfortunate and im- 
prudent, left a numerous geriiton is this 
fortrefs, and among them was Klebcr, 
who was foon appointed fceond im com. 
mand. The Gcveral in Chef being no 
longer, from his advaneed age, in a con- 
dition to fupport the fatigues of war, was 
under the necefli'y of quitting. 
The memorabie fi-ge of the city of 
Mentz, and the noble defence made by 
the garrifon, gave Kleber a full opportu- 
nity of fhewing what was his intrinfie 
merit. 
there were not long in appreciating his 
talents, which procured him the appoint. 
ment of Adjutant-General, as an adequate 
recompence for the diftinguifhed fervices 
he rendered on this o. cation. As he had 
an intimate conviction of his claim to this 
nomination, he did not think it neceflary 
to make many acknowledgments to thofe 
who had promoted him 3+ a circum- 
fiance which furnifhed them with a pre- 
text to accufe him of ingratitude. 
The details of this: fiege, which reflect- 
ed equal honour on both fides, are fufh- 
ciently public: it was the only reguiar | 
one that took place throughout the war. 
Kleber behaved with the moft confam- 
mate bravery. Being charged with the 
defence of an advanced pott, he had no~ 
*® This battalion, after the fiege of Mentz, 
was fent into the Vendée, where almoft all 
the brave fellows who compofed it were de- 
ftroyed. - 
+ Thefe perfons were Rewbell, and Merlin 
of Thionville, 
concurrents 
The Genei:als who commanded > 
Oe ete pie nes 
