Christophe Léon Louis Juchault de Lamoricière

Who was Christophe Léon Louis Juchault de Lamoricière?

Christophe Léon Louis Juchault de Lamoricière was a French general.

Lamoricière was born at Nantes. He studied at the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole d'Application. He was commissioned a sub-lieutenant in the Engineers in 1828. He served in the Algerian campaigns from 1830 onwards, being made a captain of Zouaves.

By 1840 Lamoricière had risen to the grade of maréchal-de-camp. 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. He acted temporarily as governor-general of Algeria, and finally effected the capture of Abd-el-Kader in 1847.

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. From 1848 to 1851 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.

Lamoricière refused to give his allegiance to the new Emperor Napoleon III.