Alexandre Fourchault
Alexandre Fourchault | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alexandre Édouard Constant Fourchault |
| Born | 19 August 1817 Orléans, France |
| Died | 10 April 1884 Algiers, Algeria |
| Allegiance | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Years of service | 1840-1877 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Crimean War Franco-Prussian War |
| Awards | Legion of Honour |
| Spouse(s) | Émeline-Éliza-Joséphine-Marie D'Ercourt[1] |
Alexandre Édouard Constant Fourchault (19 August 1817 – 10 April 1884) was a French officer.[2][3]
Studies[edit]
He studied at the Lycée Benjamin-Franklin d'Orléans with several senior officers of the French Army and French politicians.[4]
He was trained militarily in the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr and in the École d'application du Corps royal d'état-major.
He did his infantry training with the 58th line in Algeria in 1843, passed to the 3rd chasseurs the following year, and was attached to the Bourges division in 1847.
Career[edit]
Conquest of Algeria[edit]
He served in North Africa during the French conquest of Algeria.[5][6][7]
Crimean War[edit]
He took part in the Crimean War from 1854 to 1856.[8]
Franco-Prussian War[edit]
He returned to Algeria, then took part in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, in particular in the battles of:
- Battle of Mars-la-Tour, in Moselle (August 16–18, 1870): where heavy fighting broke out between the French forces and the Prussian troops commanded by General August Karl von Goeben;
- Battle of Gravelotte (August 18, 1870): Where Bazaine had to retreat to Metz after conceding a defeat from the French forces.
He was taken prisoner in Germany with 17 other officers and then escaped from prison, while he was ranked as lieutenant-colonel in the general staff.[9]
Mokrani Revolt[edit]
He participated in Algeria in the repression of the Mokrani revolt from April 1871.[10]
He presided over the Battle of Alma and Battle of the Col des Beni Aïcha on 19 April 1871, with general Orphis Léon Lallemand, through which he countered the Algerian rebels.[11]
Awards[edit]
He was attached to the general staff of the Army of Africa, and was decorated as Knight of the Legion of Honour on August 16, 1850.[12]
Death[edit]
He ended his career on 23 October 1877 and his life in Algiers with the rank of cavalry colonel on 10 April 1884.[1]
His funeral gave rise to an imposing demonstration when he was buried in the St. Eugene Cemetery in Algiers.[13]
Monument[edit]
A commemorative monument was raised to him by public subscription in 1885, in the St. Eugene Cemetery, on land granted in perpetuity by the city of Algiers.[14]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Bulletin des lois. Partie supplémentaire". Imprimerie nationale. 26 December 1885 – via Google Books.
- ^ Faucon, Narcisse (26 December 1890). "Le livre d'or de l'Algérie: histoire politique, militaire, administrative; événements et faits principaux; biographie des hommes ayant marqué dans l'armée, les sciences, les lettres, etc., de 1830 à 1889". A. Challamel – via Google Books.
- ^ Merle, Claude. "FOURCHAULT". www.histoire-de-guerre.net.
- ^ Tranchau, L. H. (26 December 1893). "Le Collège et le Lycée d'Orléans, 1762-1892: notes, souvenirs, documents". H. Herluison – via Google Books.
- ^ Daumas, Melchior Joseph Eugène (1858). "Récits de Kabylie campagne de 1857".
- ^ "Revue politique et littéraire: Revue bleue". 1892.
- ^ Crescenzo, Jean de (2005). Chroniques Tizi-ouziennes. ISBN 9782952584104.
- ^ "Bulletin des lois de la République Française: Partie Principale". 1851.
- ^ Pouisot, Edmond Antoine (1872). "Le Moniteur prussien de Versailles: Du 14 décembre 1870 au 5 mars 1871".
- ^ Rinn, Louis (26 December 1891). "Histoire de l'insurrection de 1871 en Algérie". Librairie A. Jourdan – via Google Books.
- ^ Cheyron, Alfred Du (26 December 1873). "Bordj-Bou-Arreridj pendant l'insurrection de 1871 en Algerie. Journal d'un officier". Henri Plon – via Google Books.
- ^ "Bulletin des lois. Partie supplémentaire". 1858.
- ^ "les tombes célèbres à Alger cimetière de Saint Eugène,alger-roi.net". alger-roi.fr.
- ^ Faucon, Narcisse (1890). "Le livre d'or de l'Algérie: Histoire politique, militaire, administrative; événements et faits principaux; biographie des hommes ayant marqué dans l'armée, les sciences, les lettres, etc., de 1830 à 1889".