Gaston de Galliffet

The general marquis Gaston Alexandre Auguste of Galliffet , prince de Martigues, is a French soldier born the January 23rd 1830 and died in Paris the July 9th 1909 which was Minister for the War in the government Waldeck-Rousseau. Its ministerial career is marked by its unpopular positions during the Affaire Dreyfus.

Last male representative of the family of Galliffet, it marries in October 1859 Florence Georgina Laffitte. “Noisy Hâbleur and, go-getter, pretty well turned man, with his plated money belly, the attached nose and the regular features, enough marquis, face above all, it aimed only to the effect. More splitting with the women that undertaking, having the mania to speak about his intimate businesses, this old spoiled child made jokes that nobody had to dare to outline by fear of the ridiculous one. Its gestures indicated a natural espieglery which was one of the distinctive marks of its character. ” (Profit of Castellane) He spends without counting and lives with ostentation, most of the time in Paris.

After poor studies and obtaining its arts baccalaureat (1846), it begins on April 22nd 1848 in the Light cavalry. He is sergeant on October 3rd, 1849 then warrant officer on December 13rd, 1850. He becomes second lieutenant in 1853, is named with the regiment of Guides, keeps personal Napoleon III and made knight of the Légion of honor. More interested by the fashionable life, the play and the women that by the military career and having inherited, in 1854, of died of his parents, of a small fortune, he thinks of resigning of the army.

It however serves with glare during the Crimean War with the Régiment of the Guides of the Imperial Guard. June 15th, 1855 it is quoted with the order of the army as being particularly distinguished in the removal of sharp force from fear yourself Russian in front of Sébastopol.

Lieutenant in 1857, it is sent in Algérie and takes part in all forwardings of the period like in the countryside of Italy. Captain in 1860 with the 2 {{E}} Spahis with Mascara it is named, the same year, aide-de-camp of the Emperor Napoleon III.

Major on July 24th 1863 with the 1 {{er}} Regiment of Hussards, it is used again in Algeria for Tlemcen and is promoted Officer of the Legion of Honor. Named successively in the 6 {{E}} Hussards, then 12 {{E}} Hunters, it takes part in the forwarding of Mexico and is quoted with the order of the task force on April 2nd, 1863 like having returned, whereas it fulfilled the functions of major assistance of the trenches, of the services announced at the time of the catch of the convent of Guadalupe in the night from March 31st to April 1st. April 19th, 1863, it is very seriously wounded with the belly at the time of the Siège of Puebla in the attack against framework 29. It will carry from now on a money plate to the belly.

It is then him which brings back to France the flags taken to the enemy. Restored it turns over to Mexico and order the against-guerilla French. It is named Lieutenant-colonel on June 17th 1865 and is quoted once again with the order of the task force on February 24th 1867, to have given a firm and intelligent impulse to all the operations of the against-guerilla and to have led the business of Medellin on January 7th, 1867 with a remarkable glance and a strength.

It is promoted colonel on August 14th, 1867 of the 3 {{E}} Régiment of Hunters of Africa, then brigadier general on August 30th 1870. It orders the brigade of hunters with horse which charges with Sedan. At the conclusion of its captivity, it turns over to France to order a brigade of cavalry of the Armée with Versailles and takes part in the operations against the Commune where it is characterized by its ferocity towards the insurrectionists and gains the reputation of a man with comes up.

It orders then the subdivision of Batna then the 31e brigade (1874-1875) and is promoted commander of the Legion of honor in 1873. Major general on May 3rd 1875, it orders the 15 {{E}} Division (1876-1878), then the 9 {{E}} Army corps (1879-1881).

He is candidate with the presidential election of 1879.

Raised with the dignity of Large Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1880 it is distinguished by Gambetta and is named governor of Paris. It orders then the 12 {{E}} Army corps (1882 - 1886). President of the committee of cavalry (1881 - 1885), it reorganizes the French cavalry. He is made Grand-Croix of the Legion of honor in 1887. He belongs to the Superior council of the War, is general inspector of the École of Application of Cavalry, of the Section of cavalry of the Military Special École and the horse-gear of the École of War and permanent director of the operations of cavalry.

At the time of the Affaire Dreyfus, it is with this soldier in retirement, with the sulfurous reputation, that Waldeck-Rousseau entrusts the ministry for the war in its government known as of " republican Defense " constituted on June 22nd, 1899 following the consecutive crisis of mode to the Business Dreyfus, its republicanism and its opportunism on a side, its reputation of “ torturer of Commune ” on other side, paradoxically making this hated character of all the edges, a man sure and ready to apply unpopular decisions for the army. It is him which decides to require the revision of the lawsuit of Dreyfus whose rehabilitation had been supported by Emile Zola. Thus, on September 21st, 1899, it can declare with the Room in connection with the Dreyfus business, following the presidential pardon of this one and to its handing-over in freedom: “ the incident is closed . ”

Its ministerial career is completed by its resignation on May 29th, 1900 because of critics of the president of the Council on certain members of his administration. Its successor with the wallet of the War is the general Louis André who will continue effectively, but more awkwardly, his policy of " républicanisation " army.

Internal bonds

War Common free-Prussian
of Paris
Business Dreyfus

External bonds

the general of Galliffet and the business Dreyfus

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