Saint-Arnaud, Achille-Leroy de

(ca. 1800-1854)

   marshal of France

   Born in Paris, Armand-Jacques Arnaud, or Achille, Leroy de Saint-Arnaud as he is known, was a member of the guard of King louis XV III but had to leave the army after falling into debt. He spent some time in Greece (1827), then, restored to his rank in 1831, was named an ordinance officer. He served with distinction in Algeria, and was promoted to the rank of general in 1847. Named minister of war by napoléon III (October 1851), he was actively involved in the preparations for the coup d'état of December 2, 1851, which brought Napoléon III to power and began the second Empire, earning him the marshal's baton (1852). A senator and a great cavalry officer, he took command of the French forces in the Crimea in 1854 (see Crimean war) and, with the British commander Lord Raglan, won the victory at Alma (September 1854) in the Crimea that began the Crimean War. Replaced by General François canrobert for reasons of health, he died abord the ship that was taking him back to France.