Louis Juchault de Lamoricière

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

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

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

In Algeria
He served in the Algerian campaigns from 1830 onwards, being made a captain of Zouaves. 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.

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).

In the French Second Republic
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. Juchault de Lamoricière refused to give his allegiance to the new Emperor Napoleon III.

In service to the Pope
In 1860 he accepted command of the papal army, which he led in the Italian campaign of 1860. On 18 September that year, he was severely defeated by the Italian army at Castelfidardo.

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

Death and tomb
He died at Prouzel (Somme) in 1865. His tomb at Nantes Cathedral, designed by Paul Dubois, was completed in 1875.