Jean IRAGUE was born on February 26, 1773 and was baptized on February 28 in Clairac. He is the natural and legitimate son of Jean-Benoît Irague and Anne Loiseau, his wife. His godfather is his uncle Jean Loiseau and his godmother Célestine Loiseau, his grandmother.
He entered the military service on April 8, 1792, in the 33rd line infantry regiment, which was later integrated into the 96th regiment. He was appointed as a furrier on the 10th prairial of year 2 (May 29, 1794), Sergeant the 8 messidor of year 2 (June 26, 1794), sergeant major the 6 frimaire of year 7 (November 26, 1798), warrant officer warrant officer the 25 prairial of year 8 (June 14, 1800), second lieutenant the 20 vendémiaire of year 10 (October 12, 1801).
He thus took part in the campaigns of 1792 and 1793, then from year 2 (1794) to year 13 (1804) inclusive (in year 11 inland campaign).
Admiral Bruix had the 18th Vendémiaire of the year 13 (October 10, 1804) put in order of the naval army, the testimony of his satisfaction with the distinguished conduct of this officer during the fighting which took place on the 12th Vendémiaire (4 October 1804) aboard the “of 1st species, the gunboat 118” against an English corvette. The Commanding Officer of the ship attested that this officer behaved “with the utmost bravery, that his activity and example stimulated the courage of his detachment, which showed the best restraint. This officer throughout the action showed himself with distinction.” This was confirmed by the officers of the staff of the said building “as a token of our special esteem, and the guarantor of meritorious conduct, this officer forced to leave us carries with him our most sincere regrets.” This officer was wounded at the Battle of Marengo by a bullet wound to the lower abdomen. Second lieutenant in the 96th Line Regiment of the 1st Division, of the Left Corps of the Army of the Ocean, he was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor on April 14, 1807.
