Danna

Sebastiano Giuseppe Danna (Savigliano 1757 – Mantua 1811)


Born into the family of Lords of Usseglio, he entered the Piedmontese artillery as a cadet on 18 April 1770, was appointed second lieutenant on 15 May 1775, full lieutenant on 4 October 1776, captain 2nd class on 3 November 1778, captain 1st class on 1 November 1784, battalion major on 1 February 1793, lieutenant colonel on 10 April 1795, battalion chief on 30 April of the same year. He passed into French service on 8 February 1799 with the same rank, then came back to Piedmontese service as a brigade chief on 12 August 1800, then again into French service on 17 December 1801. He was professor of mathematics, fortification and artillery at the military school of Turin, then commanded the Piedmontese artillery, organizing its incorporation into the French artillery. He had a brief spell as director of the foundry at Mézières in 1802, then retired. On 26 August 1804 he was promoted to brigadier in Italian service, director of matériel. In 1807 he took command of the 3rd division of the War Ministry, and in 1808 was made inspector general, thus also directing personnel. From 1 February 1810 to 9 August 1811 he was interim War Minister (Cf. SHD, 16 Yd 71, MSA, WO 111, 1498).