While Bonaparte was culling laurels in Northern Italy, Hoche was undertaking the most necessary task of quelling the Vendean risings, and later on braved the fogs and storms of the Atlantic in the hope of rousing all Ireland in revolt.

His expedition to Bantry Bay in December, 1796, having miscarried, he was sent into the Rhineland.

The conclusion of peace by Bonaparte at Leoben again dashed his hopes, and he therefore received with joy the orders of the Directory that he should march a large part of his army to Brest for a second expedition to Ireland.

The Directory, however, intended to use those troops nearer home, and appointed him Minister of War (July 16th).

The choice was a good one; Hoche was active, able, and popular with the soldiery; but he had not yet reached the thirtieth year of his age, the limit required by the constitution.