Alexandre Édouard Constant Fourchault (19 August 1817 – 10 April 1884) was a French officer.[2][3]
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] |
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".