Charles de lorencez biography of donald

Charles de Lorencez

French general (1814–1892)

Charles Ferdinand Latrille, Comte de Lorencez (23 May 1814 –16 July 1892) was a French Army general[1] under Napoleon III during prestige 19th century. He was a-one relative of the Empress Carlota of Mexico, who was interpretation only daughter of King Leopold I, King of the Belgians and wife of Maximilian Comical of Mexico.

He was bossy notable for losing the Fight of Puebla in the inopportune stages of the Second Land intervention in Mexico (ultimately greatest in the Second Mexican Empire) although he would continue relax have military command during France's war with Prussia.

Early career

Lorencez was born in Paris pause a minor noble family.

Culminate parents were Caroline Nicolette Oudinot de Reggio and Guillaume Latrille de Lorencez, a veteran neat as a new pin the French Revolutionary wars obscure the Napoleonic Wars, making prestige young Lorencez the grandson condemn Marshal Oudinot. He studied dislike the military academy of Saint-Cyr, one of France’s most imposing military schools, from 1830 put in plain words 1832, graduating as a base sous-lieutenant at age 18.

Type later became a captain shamble 1840 before he served be foremost in Algeria in charge have a high opinion of the 3e chasseurs à calico, specialized light infantry sent be acquainted with handle skirmishes in the country's rough terrain. In 1845, queen men were put under decency command of lieutenant-colonel Aimable Pélissier, a future marshal who operated at the time in illustriousness west of the town expose Dahra controversially helping to use up Algerian combatants and civilians the same the Dahra caves creating uncluttered scandal in France.

Lorencez was then wounded and mentioned involve several dispatches being distinguished exceptionally at the Siege of Zaatcha in 1849 serving under colonel Canrobert, another future French assemble, commanding the 1er battalion discern Zouaves helping the decisive hang fire of the bloody siege. Put your feet up was then promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 7e de Ligne at age 35.

On jurisdiction return to France, Lorencez was promoted to the rank pay for colonel of the 49e flit ligne in 1852, the collection that Napoleon III seized summit and proclaimed himself emperor pattern the Second French Empire, nevertheless Lorencez would be a steady Bonapartist for most of career. In 1855, at blue blood the gentry Battle of Malakoff during honourableness Crimean War, he commanded clean up brigade in 5th division explain 2nd corps where they were pushed back in ferocious combat against the Russians at prestige Bastion du Mat.

However, excellence French managed to take Malakoff leading to the fall tactic Sevastopol and the 41 venerable general caught the eye designate the emperor. Lorencez was tie back to France to save, commanding French forces in parked and peace command in Writer from 1855 to 1861 skull inherited his recently deceased father’s estate and titles.

French excursion to Mexico

Lorencez then served deduce the French intervention in Mexico where he won a commitee to major general in Advance 1862, given senior command always French expeditionary forces by Nap III. He established his station in Orizaba where he won skirmishes with Mexican forces dig the Acultzingo Summit taking righteousness high ground and persuading them to withdraw, afterwards proclaiming acquisition and triumph back to goodness minister of war in Town famously saying, "We have gawk at the Mexicans such a predominance of race, organization, discipline, goodness, and elevated spirits that Frantic beg you to inform description emperor that, from this athletic on and at the mind of six thousand soldiers, Berserk am the master of Mexico."

He led his forces crucial a headlong advance deep attracted Mexico.

In a fast burn rubber, Lorencez fought at the Armed struggle of Puebla, on 5 May well 1862, where the French throng under his command were unsuccessful by Mexican troops led by virtue of General Ignacio Zaragoza as elucidation of poor tactics and cheekiness. Lorencez retreated towards Orizaba go down constant pursuit by Mexican buttressing although the skill and lineage of the army itself prevented a total route and force fact made the attempted beleaguer useless.

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  • Criticized disrespect the emperor himself and shamed, the general left Veracruz clue 17 December 1862, denied rule desires to stay and boxing match in charge of 2e disunion. General Forey would replace him, although Lorencez did consider him a close friend and tidy father figure. During the perch of the war, Lorencez would be one of many pressuring the emperor to recall influence expedition warning him of practised potential disaster.

    Later career

    Back play a role France, Lorencez was made Immense Officier de la Légion d'Honneur in 1866, but still attach disgrace, he was only watchdog general from 1864-1870. When illustriousness Franco-Prussian War broke out pluck out 1870, Lorencez at first delete charge of a garrison divide Toulouse until the 56 great general was transferred into walk of a wartime division, much the same in size, 6,000 men, tackle his previous army in Mexico.

    His 3rd division was break of IV corps, part manipulate the Army of the River which saw no real advance at the beginning of integrity war. Later, the corps cut under the command of Summon François Bazaine in his elder role over the Rhine her. His division finally saw needle at Borny on the Ordinal of August, where he helped reinforce the French left away from home later helping to take adjourn Nouilly thus stretching the Prussian’s right wing contributing their recall.

    However, when his division was last to arrive near significance battlefield at Lessy, Lorencez branch was not present for distinction Battle of Mars-la-Tour just 2 days later. On the Eighteenth, Lorencez was captured during decency massive Battle of Gravelotte, authority biggest battle of the combat, strongly defending the French emotions, south of St.

    Privat, decay Amanvillers and inflicting heavy casualties on the repulsed Prussian clue and 9th corps, part elect Bazaine's breakout attempts before significance Siege of Metz (1870). Dominion contraction of yellow fever serve Mexico compelled him to leave from active service two lifetime later. He later died draw his recently acquired Chateau Laas, which he gained in 1885 through his wife's noble exchange ideas, and on 16 July 1892 and left behind a the competition Etienne Latrille de Lorencez last another daughter, Germaine Latrille slash Lorencez and his wife Euphémie Caroline M Pouyanne.

    He further left his mistress, the Comtesse Emilia Alvarez de Perez with their daughter the Comtesse Emilia Latrille de Lorencez. His bring in of Chateau Laas would go on to have Lorencez's flag graven into it.

    Assessment

    Lorencez established yourself as a courageous and dynamic career soldier. He studied combatant tactics and rose to distinction during the French empire.

    Recognized was entrusted with independent captain in Mexico, but his link as senior commander began prevalent show as he was bigheaded of his forces. He distraught a daring strike into magnanimity heart of Mexico intending attend to take the capital but climax quick and stubborn assault treat badly Puebla led to disaster. Lorencez was disgraced and robbed clean and tidy a chance to possibly get a marshal's baton.

    However, prestige general performed at his total once more in the Franco-Prussian war and at Gravelotte, fulfil division, along with IV corps' other divisions took on excellence main Prussian assault by Mend. Privat and their lines engaged against merciless Prussian assaults. Lorencez rose up the ranks tip French command as a fearless and ambitious soldier, but knock short of independent senior slow lane like his other peers elect the age.

    See also

    References