Henri Jules Bataille
Henri Jules Bataille | |
---|---|
Born | Le Bourg-d'Oisans, France | 6 September 1816
Died | 10 January 1882 Paris, France | (aged 65)
Allegiance | France |
Service/ | French Army |
Years of service | 1834–1881 |
Rank | Général de Division |
Commands held |
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Battles/wars |
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Awards | Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour |
Henri Jules Bataille (6 September 1816, Le Bourg-d'Oisans, Isère – 10 January 1882, Paris) was a nineteenth-century French soldier. He rose to général de division of infantry, saw colonial service in Algeria, and fought in the Second Italian War of Independence and the Franco-Prussian War. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.
Life
Early life
Henri Jules Bataille was the son of Captain Jean Pierre Bataille and Sophie Antoinette Garnier.
After Jean Pierre Bataille's death, the French
Military career
On 16 November 1834, Bataille entered the French
Viewed in the French Army as a promising young officer, Bataille was made lieutenant colonel of the 56th Line Infantry Regiment on 8 August 1851. In 1853 he returned to Algeria to again serve with the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, beginning another four-year stay in Algeria that lasted until September 1857 and during which he often took part in or led expeditions into the Algerian countryside. During this tour of duty in Algeria he became colonel of the 45th Line Infantry Regiment on 7 February 1854 and was awarded the Officer's Cross of the Legion of Honour on 12 June 1856. On 12 August 1857, shortly before leaving Algeria, he was promoted to général de brigade.
In April 1859, Bataille went to Italy for combat operations in the Second Italian War of Independence. Serving in the III Corps, he participated in the Battle of Magenta on 4 June 1859, performing so well that he was made a Commander of the Legion of Honour on 16 June 1859. On 16 August 1866, he was promoted to the rank of major general.
When the
At the Battle of Mars-la-Tour on 16 August 1870, Bataille's division held the part of the French line at Vionville and Flavigny-sur-Moselle.[8] He was wounded in the stomach during the battle.[9] He had two horses killed under him at the Battle of Gravelotte on 18 August 1870. In danger of losing his life, he was transported to Metz, which was surrounded by German forces on 19 August 1870 and eventually surrendered on 27 October 1870 after the 70-day Siege of Metz. Bataille was taken prisoner when Metz capitulated.
The Franco-Prussian War ended in January 1871. Returning to France after his captivity in Germany, Bataille was appointed commander of the II Corps of the Army of Versailles in July 1871. He became a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour on 3 October 1871. In 1873, he was appointed head of the V Corps headquartered in Orléans, and he was awarded the Great Cross of the Legion of Honour on 11 January 1876.
In 1879, the
Later life
Bataille served as General Councillor for Le Bourg-d'Oisans for two years, then retired, as he did not enjoy political life.
Awards and honors
- Knight of the Legion of Honour (12 December 1850)
- Officer of the Legion of Honour (12 June 1856)
- Commander of the Legion of Honour (16 June 1859)
- Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (3 October 1871)
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (11 January 1876)
References
Footnotes
- ^ Acte de mariage of Henri Jules Bataille and Marie Désirée Françoise Rabou, 28 May 1874, Archives de Paris, 16e arrondissement.
- ^ See his Légion d'Honneur file in the Archives Nationales, online at https://www.leonore.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr/ui/
- ^ Hozier, p. 300
- ^ Howard, p. 90.
- ^ Howard, p. 90.
- ^ Howard, p. 97.
- ^ Howard, p. 98.
- ^ Howard, p. 153.
- ^ Howard, p. 155.
Bibliography
- Narcisse Faucon, Le livre d'Or de l'Algérie, Challamel et Cie Éditeurs Librairie Algérienne et Coloniale, 1889 (in French).
- Gloires militaires de la France contemporaine Maison de la bonne presse, Paris, c 1890 (in French).
- Howard, Michael. The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France. New York: Dorset Press, 1961. ISBN 0-88029-432-9.
- Hozer, H. M., ed., The Franco-Prussian War: Its Causes, Incidents, and Consequences, Volume I, London: William MacKenzie, 1870