Louis Juchault de Lamoricière

Christophe Léon Louis Juchault de Lamoricière
Portrait of Lamoricière, c. 1860s
Born(1806-09-05)5 September 1806
Nantes, France
Died11 September 1865(1865-09-11) (aged 59)
Prouzel, France
Allegiance Kingdom of France (Bourbon Restoration) (1828–1830)
 July Monarchy (1830–1848)
 French Second Republic (1848–1851)
 Papal States (1860)
Years of service1828–1851;
1860

Christophe Léon Louis Juchault de Lamoricière (5 September 1806 – 11 September 1865) was a French general.

Early life

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Juchault de Lamoricière was born in Nantes. He studied at the École Polytechnique and the École d'Application.

Service

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He was commissioned a sub-lieutenant in the Engineers in 1828.

In Algeria

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He served in the Algerian campaigns from 1830 onwards, being made a captain of Zouaves.[1] By 1840, Juchault de Lamoricière had risen to the grade of maréchal-de-camp (major-general). Three years later he was made a general of division. He was one of the most distinguished and efficient of Bugeaud's generals, rendering special service at Isly (14 August 1844). He acted temporarily as governor-general of Algeria, and finally effected the capture of Abd-el-Kader in 1847.[2]

Juchault de Lamoricière played a part in the political events of 1848, both as a member of the Chamber of Deputies and as a military commander. Under the regime of General Cavaignac he was for a time minister of war (28 June – 20 December 1848).

From 1848 to 1851 Juchault de Lamoricière was one of the most conspicuous opponents of the policies of Louis Napoleon, and following the coup d'état of 2 December 1851 he was arrested and exiled.[2] Juchault de Lamoricière refused to give his allegiance to the new Emperor Napoleon III.

In service to the Pope

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In 1860 he accepted command of the papal army, which he led in the Italian campaign of 1860.[1] On 18 September that year, he was severely defeated by the Italian army at Castelfidardo.[2]

Retirement

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His last years were spent in complete retirement in France where he had been allowed to return in 1857.

Cenotaph of Lamoricière in the Nantes cathedral.

Death and tomb

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He died at Prouzel (Somme) in 1865.[2] His tomb at Nantes Cathedral, designed by Paul Dubois, was completed in 1875.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Delamarre 1913.
  2. ^ a b c d Chisholm 1911, p. 131.
  3. ^ Harpers Magazine. Vol. 76. Harper's Magazine Co. 1888. p. 246.

Attribution:

Political offices
Preceded by Minister of War
28 June 1848 – 20 December 1848
Succeeded by