The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1872-06-02
General Decissey, French Minister Of War.

The French may congratulate themselves
on having such q man as De Cissey at LUG
head of the araDepartment. Rarely mas
services rendered, all his grades having !
been gained in active services and on the
field of battle. The army which he has
been called to reorganize, and to which ne
will, it is expected. restore its former pres pres
tige, feels that there is q soldier at its heao'
few particulars concerning this man VINO
may very probably turn the tables upon
the Prussians within the next few years
will not be unacceptable to your readers.
He was born in Paris, December 23, iotG
He comes of noble Burgundian stock; his
grandfather was a alieutenant-colcnel in the
dragons of Segur and Chevalier of Saint
Louis. The first part of General de Cis-
sey's career was passed in Africa: Admit
ted to Saint, t,Cyr, December 2. 1880, he leit,
his first campaign in Africa from 1886 to
1888, captain on the 9th of February,
1889, serving in turn as aide de-camp to
Generals Dejean, Rumigny and Tale, he
| took part in various expeditions, and his
name is continually to be found in the re-
ports of the governor-general, and in the or.
der of the day of the army. On the 2eth of
May, 1910, he distinguished himself most
| particularly in the expedition of Medeah
on june $. at Tegdempt and Mascara; %eI!; ;n on
where he had horse killed under him, at
ter having slain with his own. hand several
Arabs. He became major of cavalry, July
10, lSA5 lieutenant-colonelJ June Ia, 1850;
colonel, May 10, 1853 He was always re- re-
in a soldier-intrepidity and presence OF
mind, which he displayed on various occa-
sions. He was employed at the head
quarters of the Staff at Algiers from lS4O to
1850 and as aide-de camp of General
Pelissier, Governor ad interim of Algeria,
and Sous Chief of the Staff of the Army of
Africa. he displayed abilities of the highest
character. To these he adds the most un-
deniable personal courage qualihcation
which does not always accompany 1nteliec- I''
petitions of ls43, and both at Deilys and
, at Onarezedin charged in the first rank at
> > the head of his cavalry. He was also at
the battle of Isly, where he was most hon
r orably mentioned by Marshal Bugeand'
! peditions of Kabylie, commanded by Col.
= Le Lourmels, and distinguished himself in
!, the combat with the Beni-Ynvel:
When the Crimean War broke out, the
y Cissey, then Colonel de Cissey,. to fill the
post Of Chief of she Staff of the Second
u division of Infantry in the Army of the
!" East. As General of Brigade. March IL,
;, 1854. after Inkerman, has name is found in
y the order Of the day of the Army at the
- After leaving the Crimea he returned to
. l Africa. where, on February 81, 1856, he
. was made Chief of the Staff in the south
:; western divisions. At the creation of a
: Ministry for Algeria and the Colonies he
!; was called to the direction of maritime as
y y well as military affairs, and although the
q Ministry of Algeria was but of short dura.
! ton, De Cissey found time to g I'VE proof of
= great aptitude in the direction of affairs,
: Of profound knowledge of the different
y details, and of remarkable genius for or
y ganization. In the course of these few
= !. months he established claim of pure
= merit which has been recognized by his
g appointment to the important post of Min
= lister of War. In 1869 he commanded the
:. Chalons, and in 1870 he became Inspector
y General of the Military Schools. WheI
= war was declared against Prussia Genera
II de Cissey was at Rennes at the head of th'
% expected that he would be placed at th'
;. head of tho Staff of the Army of the Rhine
% his rare military talents pointing him on
* as the right man for this most Difficult
post he received, however, command of
y division in the Fourth Corps of Genera
y Ladm irault, and was present at Borny, a
N IN Rezonville, and at the sanguinary battle G
," Saint-Privat. On this memorable occasio
he showed what the French soldiers NIGH
j. have done throughout the D. war if if p5oPeri !
n led, for he succeeded, single-handed, !
he Prussians, exposing himself as usual, hav
,ro ing two horses killed under him, and rails
tn ing the enthusiasm of his soldiers to sue
iIe a pitch that they carried all before ther
IT. for the time, and would indeed have carrie
,ts the day if properly backed up.
he On the 22d of October, when Marshs
.at Bazaine announced to the generals unde
an his command his intention to capitulatt
he General de Cissey opposed the dastardl
lat measure in most energetic Language, an
oS proposed . plan which, in the opinion .
he all military men, as expressed afterwar6
Tr. whether by French or Prussian, woul
to have secured the egress of the Frenc
,or army Of Metz, though doubtless at SON
IN loss, and would have raised the siege
ar Paris. His services in the recent strugg
oct with the Commune have been on p;
IN :. with his previous exploits, and it is to hi
90. that the Faubourg st. Germaia owes i
as preservation. 1t would, indeed, appe;
his served by Providence for some special en-
her for the utter anpihilation, it is to be hope