Adolphe Niel

Adolphe Niel (October 4th 1802 with Low wall - August 13rd 1869 with Paris), Marshal of France.

Its family

Adolphe Niel is born in a former middle-class family known in the county from Comminges since the 17th century and seems T it in way of Agrégation to the nobility at the end of the 18th century.

At the 19th century, its family contracts good alliances and gives distinguished magistrates, politicians and soldiers. From its marriage with Clemence Maillères, will be born two children: Amélie and Léopold. Léopold will be Général of Cavalerie and Roman Count (title authorized in France, for itself and his/her mother, by decree of the President of the Republic in 1877).

Principal alliances: of Saget, Pistoye, Bryas, Barbara de Labelotterie de Boisséson, of Gaulejac, of Barrau, Pihan of Forest, Maillères, Duhesme…

Its military career

It leaves major the Polytechnic school (Promotion X 1821). He is officer of the genius in garrison with Metz then one finds it Capitaine with Toulon in 1827. He belongs to forwarding against Constantine. He is Major in 1837, then colonel in 1846.

In 1849, the Gouvernement French sends a task force to Rome under the orders of the general Oudinot. Adolphe Niel is chief of staff. He carries the keys of Rome to the pope. He is promoted Brigadier general. He is Major general in 1853.

In 1854, he is second in command of the squadron which seizes the fortified town of Bomarsund in the the Baltic.

In 1855, it is aide-de-camp of the Empereur. Sent in the Crimea, it directs the investment of Sébastopol (1854-1855).

During the war of Italy, during which it orders the 4 {{E}} Corps, it is distinguished with the Bataille from Magenta in June 1859 and with that from Solférino. In reward of its merits of man of war and his talents of strategist, Napoleon III the pupil with the dignity of Marshal of France in 1859.

It is Ministre for the War in 1867, it succeeds the marshal Jacques Louis Randon, it undertakes a reform of the army in order to modernize it in spite of oppositions, but it dies before to have completed it. It institutes in particular the mobile Garde, the day before 1870.

It had equipped the infantrymen with excellent rifle Chassepot.

He dies in 1869.

Other functions

Adolphe Niel was also Senator of the Empire and President of the general advice of the Haute-Garonne.

Decorations

He is Grand-Croix of the Ordre of the Legion of Honor and decorated of several foreign Kinds.

Chev. LH 1838, Off. 4/17/1845, Com. LH 1852, GO 8/28/1854, GC LH 9/22/1855, Military decoration 7/4/1859, Medal Commemorative of the Crimea.

Principal foreign decorations: Chev. Com. about Bath (GB), G C of the Royal Order of the Saints Maurice and Lazare 1855 (Sardinia), Com. O. Royal Soldier of St Georges of the Meeting (Two Siciles), GC Ordre of the Sword 1855 (Sweden), Chev. GC Ordre of Frederic (Württemberg). GC Ordre St Gregoire the Large one (Roman States), Chev. Of Annonciade 1868 (Italy). 2nd Cl. Order of Médjidié (Turkey).

Quotation

" To succeed one needs knowledge, know-how, knowledge-vivre." (Adolphe Niel)

Anecdotes

The Niel Marshal was called Polyorcète (the taker of city).

The Emperor Napoleon III would have proposed the title of to him Duc of Solférino but he would have answered that its name was enough for him…

Others

In Muret, a statue of the Niel Marshal is, with Toulouse, the Palais Niel, and in Paris, in the 17 {{E}} district the Avenue Niel.

External bonds

the marshal Niel
the Niel Palate in Toulouse

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