Cavalry general called the “butcher of the Commune” for summary executions in Bloody Week
Born in Paris in 1831, the cavalry officer made his name in the Mexican expedition and led the charge of the Chasseurs d’Afrique at Sedan in 1870. Back from German captivity, he commanded a cavalry brigade of the Versailles army in 1871 and, for his ferocity towards captured insurgents in Bloody Week, was called the “butcher of the Commune”. In 1899–1900 he was war minister in Waldeck-Rousseau’s cabinet of “republican defence”, charged with closing the Dreyfus affair. He died in 1909.
Activities and affiliations
-
1848–1894
France state institutionsCavalry officer and generalMain
Military command -
1899–1900
France state institutionsMinister of War
Government and administration
Career Timeline
- 1870.09.01Led the charge of the Chasseurs d’Afrique brigade at Sedan.
- 1871.05Took part in the repression of Bloody Week as a Versailles cavalry brigade commander.
- 1899.06.22–1900War minister in the Waldeck-Rousseau cabinet.