Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Paris France, he was the son of a French count and graduated from the French Military College of St. Cyr in 1854. He served as Lieutenant of Cavalry in Algiers and Senegal, Africa and was decorated for valor during the Crimean War. In 1859, he came to the United States and when the Civil War broke out, he resigned his commission in the French Army and was commissioned a Captain in the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed Colonel of the 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Cavalry in July 1862. In 1863, he performed well at Cedar Mountain, 2nd Bull Run, Battle of Kelly's Ford and was promoted Brigadier General, US Volunteers. On June 9, 1863, he led a brigade of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia, the largest cavalry battle of the war and the opening engagement of the Gettysburg Campaign. In October 1864, he captured by the Confederates and was prisoner exchanged in April, 1865. After the war he served as a United States Consoler in Cadiz, Spain.
Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Paris France, he was the son of a French count and graduated from the French Military College of St. Cyr in 1854. He served as Lieutenant of Cavalry in Algiers and Senegal, Africa and was decorated for valor during the Crimean War. In 1859, he came to the United States and when the Civil War broke out, he resigned his commission in the French Army and was commissioned a Captain in the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed Colonel of the 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Cavalry in July 1862. In 1863, he performed well at Cedar Mountain, 2nd Bull Run, Battle of Kelly's Ford and was promoted Brigadier General, US Volunteers. On June 9, 1863, he led a brigade of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia, the largest cavalry battle of the war and the opening engagement of the Gettysburg Campaign. In October 1864, he captured by the Confederates and was prisoner exchanged in April, 1865. After the war he served as a United States Consoler in Cadiz, Spain.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Born in Paris
Lieutenant in French Army
Colonel of 1st R.I. Cavalry
and General in U.S. Army 1861-1865
This tribute erected by the 1st R.I. Cavalry Veteran Association 1889.
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