He gained a corporal's stripes in Algeria, rose
to the rank of sergeant at Sebastopol, and was promoted to a lieutenancy
after Solferino. Fifteen years of hardship and heroic bravery was the
price he had paid to be an officer, but his education was so defective
that he could never be made a captain. He held the old traditions that
a defeat of the French army was impossible, and all through the
campaign against Germany in 1870 he refused to believe in the repeated
catastrophes. In the fierce attack by the Prussians on the Hermitage,
he fought desperately against an overwhelming force, and up to the end
encouraged his men by shouting that the victory was theirs. In the end
he fell, mowed down by a hail of bullets. La Debacle.
ROCHEFONTAINE, proprietor of a large factory at Chateaudun. He was
desirous of serving as a Deputy, but did not secure the support of the
Government, and, standing as an independent candidate, was defeated.
Later, in consequence of the disgrace of M. de Chedeville, he became the
official candidate, and in spite of a brusqueness of manner which made
him unpopular, he was elected.
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