Niel, ADOLPHE

Niel, ADOLPHE, French marshal, was born at Muret (Upper Garonne) on 4th October 1802, and entered the army as an engineer officer; he took part in the storming of Constantine in Algeria (1836), the siege of Rome (1849), the bombardment of Bomarsund in Finland (1854), the fall of Sebastopol (1856), and in the battles of Magenta and Solferino (1859). His share in these battles won him the marshal's baton. He was made minister of war in 1867, and was busily employed reorganising the French army when he died, 14th August 1869. It is from him that the favourite Marshal Niel (yellow) rose derives its name.