Louis Rossel

Childhood and military career

He is the son of the Colonel Officer of the Legion of Honor Louis Rossel and of Sarah Campbell (Écossaise). He has two sisters: Isabella and Sarah.

He is resulting from a middle-class family Protestant nîmoise (near to the medium of what one called the " HSP" - Protestant High society), and descendant of Cevennes Camisard S (of Saint-Jean-of-Gard).

The Rossel family is deeply republican: his/her father, officer, refused to lend oath to Napoleon III.

Louis-Nathaniel Rossel was born the September 9th 1844 with Saint-Brieuc where his/her father is in station as a major of infantry.

He follows studies to Saint-Brieuc, Mâcon, Nimes, then at greater length with the college of the Arrow (military national Prytanée) as of 1855 and becomes polytechnician in 1864 (Promotion X 1862).

Rossel was a fine strategist, and on the occasion to write many articles or works on the art of warfare.

It is also him which, when in 1869 the last volume of the correspondence of Napoleon i appears, shows that the books of strategy allotted to the latter by the charged commission to publish the correspondence, are not and cannot be of him.

The struck commission of the competence and the spirit of these judicious criticisms, had to recognize that Rossel told truth.

War of 1870

It is, during the conflict of 1870 opposing the France to the Germany, captain of the Génie to Metz with the last French Army of importance.

It estimates whereas the war can still be gained but considers that certain politicians (like Adolphe Thiers) and marshals (as François Achille Bazaine) do not wish it. Reason of this " abdication" would come from the wish of the latter, to restore a moral order preserving even monarchical.

François Achille Bazaine, who directs the camp of Metz, does not order indeed an offensive and ends up capitulating. Louis-Nathaniel Rossel opposes then so that he regards as a treason towards the fatherland and the Peuple.

With the capitulation, the October 29th 1870, it flees to join the provisional government based with Tours while passing by Belgium where the first, it denounces the treason of the Bazaine marshal.

It wishes to discuss with Leon Gambetta and reaches that point thanks to a friend polytechnician. Rossel tries to convince Leon Gambetta (already favorable to resistance) to continue the combat. But Leon Gambetta, although of agreement, is put in minority within his government.

He thus makes meet Louis Rossel and the delegate of the Minister for the War, Charles de Freycinet, protesting like him. This last, in the incapacity to locate itself the French Armies and to coordinate them, grants to Louis Rossel the care to examine the armies of north and to train officers.

Louis-Nathaniel Rossel there goes and returns fifteen days later, estimating (rightly) that its mission is useless.

Rossel re-examines then Leon Gambetta and a report/ratio proposing of the possibilities of resumption of the combat gives to him. Leon Gambetta does not have any more an influence and does not take action pursuant (he resigns the February 6th 1871). However, this report/ratio was considered to be very relevant later on.

Louis-Nathaniel Rossel is simply sent by a general to the camp of Nevers with the rank of " colonel". At that time he refuses the Légion of honor.

Commune of Paris

The March 18th 1871, Paris is raised, Adolphe Thiers moves his new government with Versailles with the regular army. It prohibits the majority of the newspapers protestors and takes authoritative measures. For Louis Rossel, Adolphe Thiers makes a pact with the enemy and gives up the people.

Louis Rossel then decides to join the Commune of Paris the March 19th 1871.

March 22nd, 1871, he becomes chief of the 17th Legion of the Commune.

The April 3rd, he is Chief of Staff. He considers whereas Common the court to his loss if its soldiers do not organize themselves. Indeed, the majority desert or refuse any combat while at the same time the regular army of Of Versailles, very trained, is with the doors of the capital.

Louis-Nathaniel Rossel becomes President of the Martial Court but resigns, ulcerated by his lack of means and of listening.

The Committee of the Commune, going in its direction, appoints it Deputy secretary with the War to replace Gustave Paul Cluseret.

However, it misses the means and the army of the Communards hardly fights (on 40.000 men - and not 200.000 as that was often announced - only a few thousands fight).

Louis Rossel not wishing to seize the total power, resigns with glare but does not flee the Commune. Certain members of the Committee of public Hello (anarchists directed by Pyat) want its death but others regard it as their only hope.

Louis Rossel remains in Paris, hidden in a hotel of the Saint-Germain boulevard. He prefers being “on the side of overcome, as regards people”.

The Of Versailles ones stop it, judge it twice.

The nîmoise family of Louis-Nathaniel, the Parisian students, notable of Nimes, Metz, Montauban, of the Protestants, Victor Hugo, the colonel Pierre Denfert-Rochereau and of many intellectuals defend it, in vain.

Adolphe Thiers proposes in Louis Rossel of the gracier if it is exiled with life. He refuses, wanting to assume his responsibilities, not wanting to betray his country and his convictions nor to relieve the conscience of Thiers.

He is shot the November 28th 1871, at the 27 years age, the camp of Satory.

Of a point seen legal, the sentence was however illegal and constituted a miscarriage of justice . Its execution for Adolphe Thiers, was justified politically: “An example had to be made…”

Louis-Nathaniel Rossel is buried with the cemetery Protesting of Nimes, at his place, at the sides of his sister and his parents and not far from the family tomb Rossel-Dombre-Cadène. Sharp demonstrations in its favor burst in the “Roman city” when it was buried there.

Certain politicians have him several times paid homage, such Charles de Gaulle and Jean-Pierre Chevènement.

Two films recalling its life (with Sami Frey and Andre Dussolier) were carried out. A multitude of articles and works were devoted to him as well as many conferences (still nowadays).

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