Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/443

 In this second period of ten years passed in Africa, M. de Cissey signalized himself by new exploits. He took part in the expeditions of 1843, and both at Dellys and at Onarezedin charged in the first rank at the head of his cavalry. He was also, on the 14th of August, at the battle of Isly, where he was cited by Marshal Bugeaud as one of the officers who had behaved themselves most remarkably. In 1850 he took part in one of the first expeditions of Kabylie, commanded by Colonel de Lourmel, and distinguished himself on May 21st in the combat with the Beni-Ymel.

When the Crimean war broke out, Colonel de Cissey was asked for by General Bosquet, as chief of the staff of the 2d division of infantry in the army of the East. General of Brigade March 17th, 1854, after Inkermann, his name is found in the order of the day of the army at the taking of the redoubts before Sebastopol.

After leaving the Crimea he returned to Africa, where, February 27th, 1856, he was made chief of the staff in the southwestern divisions.

At the creation of a ministry for Algeria and the colonies, he was called to the direction of military and maritime affairs. Although the ministry of Algeria was but of short duration, General de Cissey found time to give proof of great aptitude in the direction of affairs, of a profound knowledge of the different branches of military art, of administrative details, and of a remarkable genius for organization. The remembrance of this direction of a few months has not been one of the least titles of the General to his appointment as Minister of War.

In 1869, General de Cissey commanded the 1st division of infantry at the camp of Châlons, and in 1870 he was Inspector-General of the Military Schools.

When war was declared against Prussia, the General was at Rennes, at the head of the 16th military division.