Adolphe Niel
| Adolphe Niel | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
4 October 1802 Muret, France |
| Died |
13 August 1869 (aged 66) Paris, France |
| Allegiance | France |
| Service/branch | French Army |
| Years of service | 1827–1869 |
| Rank | General de division |
| Commands held | IV Corps, Army of Italy |
| Battles/wars |
Crimean War Franco-Austrian War |
| Awards |
Marshal of France Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor Médaille militaire |
| Other work | Minister of War |
Adolphe Niel (4 October 1802 – 13 August 1869) was a French Army general and , also Marshal of France.
He was born at Muret, Haute-Garonne and entered the École Polytechnique in 1821. Niel entered the engineer school at Metz, became lieutenant in the Engineers Corps in 1827, and captain in 1833. At the storming of Constantine, Algeria, Niel led the engineer detachment with one of the storming parties, and his conduct gained for him the rank of chef de bataillon in 1837. Niel was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1840 and to colonel in 1846. His next war service was as Chief of Staff to General Vaillant during the 1849 siege of Rome, after which he was made general of brigade and director of engineer services at headquarters.
In 1851, Niel became a member of the Committee of Fortifications. He became a member of the council of state in 1852 and in 1853 was promoted to general of the division. In the first part of the Crimean War, Niel was employed in the expedition to the Baltic Sea and directed engineering operations against Bomarsund. Early in 1855 Niel was sent to the Crimea, where he succeeded General Bizot as chief of engineers. For some years Niel had been the most trusted military adviser of Napoleon III, and he was now empowered to advise the generals on the spot in accordance with the wishes of the sovereign and the home government.
Niel managed to carry out this delicate and difficult task with as much success as could be expected, and he directed siege operations at the Battle of Malakoff. His reward was the grand cross of the Légion d'honneur. From 1855 to 1859 Niel was employed at headquarters and also served in the French Senate. In the war against the Austrians, Niel commanded the IV Corps and took part in the Battle of Magenta and the Battle of Solferino. Niel was made a marshal of France on the field at Solferino.
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