Jean-François Jacqueminot

Who was Jean-François Jacqueminot?

Jean François Jacqueminot, viscount of Ham was a French general.

He was born at Nancy, studied at the École Militaire, entered the army in 1803, and distinguished himself at the battles of Austerlitz, Essling, Wagram, and the Beresina. In 1814 he was promoted colonel. When Napoleon returned from Elba, Jacqueminot was made commander of lancers. He made a brilliant charge at Quatre Bras and after Waterloo refused transfer to the service of the Bourbons, was imprisoned for a month. After his release, Jacqueminot established at Bar-le-Duc a great silk factory, which gave employment to many of the veterans of the French Imperial Army. Elected to the House of Deputies in 1827, he joined in the protest of the Two Hundred and Twenty-one against Polignac, and with Pajol directed the Rambouillet expedition which led Charles X to leave France. In 1842 he succeeded Chaud as commander of the National Guards of the Seine. Louis Philippe made him Viscount in 1846. His indecision at the head of the Guards made possible the revolution of 1848, and he was retired in that year.

He died 78, years old, in 1865.