He was one of the best commanders of light cavalry, as well as being intelligent, well-educated, and witty; yet, according to Divisional General Jean-Antoine Marbot, he posed as a libertine and ruffian who "might always be seen drinking, swearing, and smashing everything", carefully maintaining the hussar image and reputation.
He also founded the "Society of Alcoholics", which shocked the high society of Paris (except for Napoleon).
One evening Lasalle made Paul Thiébault count all the empty wine bottles.
Thiébault asked "Do you want to kill yourself?”
which prompted the famous reply from Lasalle: "My friend, any hussar who does not die by thirty is a blackguard..."
He was one of the best commanders of light cavalry, as well as being intelligent, well-educated, and witty; yet, according to Divisional General Jean-Antoine Marbot, he posed as a libertine and ruffian who "might always be seen drinking, swearing, and smashing everything", carefully maintaining the hussar image and reputation. He also founded the "Society of Alcoholics", which shocked the high society of Paris (except for Napoleon). One evening Lasalle made Paul Thiébault count all the empty wine bottles. Thiébault asked "Do you want to kill yourself?” which prompted the famous reply from Lasalle: "My friend, any hussar who does not die by thirty is a blackguard..."
Antoine Charles Louis de Lasalle