he distinguished himself in italy but received a serious head wound at lonato, which some claim led to a permanent change in his character, reduced the quality of his judgement and made him rash and temperamental. he was made a general of brigade at the beginning of the egyptian campaign but was injured in a duel and captured when he was returning as an invalid to france. he later participated in the coup of 18 brumaire. he married laure (laurette) martin de permond, a long-time friend of the bonapartes, in 1800. he was briefly ambassador to portugal before hurrying back to serve under napoleon at the battle of austerlitz (2 december 1805).