Senior officers did know all about the laws of war and would quote them whenever it seemd to be to their advantage. General Macdonald had a lively exchange of correspondence with Captain Troubridge at Naples in 1799 on the subject (quite reminded me of the discussion forum) and the earlier Neapolitan invasion of the Roman states produced similar letters between Mack and the French generals.

How many of them knew about Voltaire is another matter - as for this poster, I read one biography and it did not inspire me to read any of his works.

regards,

Susan