Achille Baraguey d'Hilliers

Who was Achille Baraguey d'Hilliers?

Louis-Achille Baraguey d'Hilliers, 1st Comte Baraguey d'Hilliers was a Marshal of France and politician.

Baraguey d'Hilliers was born in Paris, the son of the French revolutionary general Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers. He was educated at the Prytanée National Militaire and joined the French army and took part in the Russian campaign of 1812, in 1813 he served as aide-de-camp to Marshal Marmont in the battle of Möckern, where he lost his left hand. Promoted to captain in 1815, he fought at Quatre Bras. In 1823, he served in the campaign to restore Bourbon power in Spain, where he remained until 1825.

He distinguished himself under in Algeria, where he was promoted to colonel after the capture of Algiers in 1830. In 1834, Baraguey d'Hilliers was made vice-governor of the military academy of Saint Cyr, promoted to général de brigade in 1836, he was made commandant of the academy. Sent to Algeria in 1841, by 1843 he had been promoted to général de division and was made commandant of Constantine. Put on the non active list in 1844, by 1847 he was reinstated and made Inspector-General of infantry. After the Revolution of 1848, he was sent as commanding general to Besançon. Elected to the House of Representatives, Baraguey d'Hilliers remained on active duty and lead a French expeditionary force to Rome until 1851.