Paul de Ladmirault

Paul de Ladmirault (Montmorillon, 17 February 1808 – Sillars, 1 February 1898) was a French general active in the French conquest of Algeria and during the wars of the Second French Empire.

Ladmirault was born on 17 February 1808 at Montmorillon to an old family belonging to the Poitou minor aristocracy. His father had fled France during the French Revolution. Ladmirault entered the prestigious Saint-Cyr Military School in 1826 (in the same class as the future Marshal of France François Certain Canrobert). Upon his graduation in 1829, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 62nd Line Infantry Regiment. In 1831 he was promoted to lieutenant in the 67th Regiment before being sent to Algeria, where he spent the next 22 years.

He was promoted to the post of adjudant-major in 1834, then to captain in the Zouaves in 1837, and finally major in 1840. In the same year he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of Light Infantry and placed in charge of the region of Cherchell. He was made lieutenant colonel in 1842, full colonel in the Zouaves in 1844 and général de brigade in June 1848, being placed in command of Médéa Province. In 1852 he was recalled to France, and promoted général de division on 14 January 1853. He participated in the Italian war of 1859, commanding the 2nd division of I Corps under Marshal Achille Baraguey d'Hilliers, and taking part in the Battle of Solferino, during which he was wounded twice.

...
Wikipedia