Bourmont

Bourmont, LOUIS DE GHAISNES, COMTE DE, a French marshal, the conqueror of Algiers, was born in 1773 at his paternal castle of Bourmont, in Anjou. He went into exile at the Revolution, and from 1793 to 1799 was actively engaged in the anti-revolutionary struggle in La Vendée. Subsequently, he obtained the favour of Napoleon, and for his brilliant services in the campaigns of 1813-14 was promoted to the rank of general. In March 1814 he declared for the Bourbons; yet, on Napoleon's return from Elba, he went over to him, only once more to desert on the eve of the battle of Ligny, and to betake himself to Louis XVIII. at Ghent. His evidence went far to bring about Ney's execution. He was appointed minister of war in 1829, and in 1830 received the command of the expedition against Algiers, whose rapid success was ascribed to his prudence and energy. For this he received the marshal's baton, but on the July revolution he was superseded, and went to England to share the exile of Charles X. Refusing to take the legal oath, he was struck off the lists of the French army and peerage in 1832. In 1833 Dom Miguel of Portugal placed him at the head of his troops, but the campaign was brief and unsuccessful. Bourmont finally settled on his estate in Anjou, and died there 27th October 1846.