Élie, Jean de Vassoigne was a French general who distinguished himself in the Baltic in 1854 against the Russians in the Battle of Bomarsund, then commanded from 1854 to 1856 the occupation corps of Greece during the Crimean War. Then in 1859 and 1860, he went to campaign in China commanding the 3e régiment de Marine brigade of General Collineau. He was then sent to Tonkin and Annam in Cochinchina from 1860 to 1861. On February 27, 1861, during the Battle of Ky Hoa, he was seriously injured by an arrow. In 1870, he took part in the Battle of Sedan, during the Franco-Prussian War.