Claude Théodore Decaen

Claude Théodore Decaen

Claude Théodore Decaen (* 1811 in Utrecht ; † August 17, 1870 in Metz ) was a French general .

It was after completing the military special school of Paris 1829 Sous-lieutenant in the 21 ^e régiment d'infantry . He made the first Algerian campaign (1830-1831) and rose in 1838 to Capitaine . In 1851 he was given the command of the "1 ^e bataillon de chasseurs á pied" (1st hunter battalion on foot), with which he returned to Africa . In 1855 he came to the Crimea as a Colonel , was promoted to Général de brigade because of the courage he had shown in the storming of Fort Malakov , and on his return to France was given command of a brigade of the Imperial Guard.

In 1859 he took part in the Italian campaign , was promoted to Général de division in place of the fallen General Espinasse the day after the Battle of Magenta and distinguished himself in the Battle of Solferino , where he played the lost battle at San Cassiano in connection with La Motterouge won again for the French.

In 1870 he commanded the 4th Infantry Division in the 3rd Army Corps under Bazaine , and when Bazaine took over command of the Rhine Army , Decaen was given command of the 3rd Corps on August 12th. He was fatally wounded on August 14 at the Battle of Colombey -Nouilly and died in Metz on August 17 .