CAVAIGNAC, GENERAL LOUIS EUGENE, son of Jean-Baptiste Cavaignac, member of the Convention and of the council of the Five Hundred, and brother of the late Godefroy Cavaignac, repeatedly prosecuted by Louis Philippe, was born at Paris on the 15th of December 1802. In 1820, at the age of eighteen, he entered the Ecole Polytechnique. In the years 1828-29 he served in the second regiment of Engieeers as captain, and took an active part in the campaigns of the Mores. Like most of the sone of the noted republicans of the Great Revolutiou, he adopted early in life the principles of his father ; be was consequently one of the first to adhere to the revolution of July, in 1830. But the free expression of his opinions having given offence to his superiors, he was sent in 1832 to join the army in Africa. Even there he could not control or conceal his republican opinions; but the brilliant courage he displayed, and the services he rendered, drew upon him the notice and the esteem of his commanding officers. He was employed in the expeditions of liledeyah, Bouffard, and Chirchell ; and in the several battles and skirmishes of Ouara, Col de Moozala, &c., he gave proofs of that aptitude for war, which bespoke the future general. But it was especially in the expedition against Tlcmsen that he proved his capacity, and evinced his valour.
After the capture of Timmer; in January 1836, Marshal Clausel formed a battalion of volunteers to garrison the citadel of that town; and gave the command of the place to Captain Cavaignac. In this isolated position, he maintained himself with great honour. Although frequently attacked by the Arabs, and blockaded by Abd-el-Kader, he held out, teaching his troops, both by his example and intrepidity, to endure the severest privations without a murmur. It was not however till May 1837 that he received further promotion. Shortly after the taking of Constantine, Cavaignac was transferred to tb:, Zouaves; after which he had a battalion in the infantry of the line. In 1839 he published a work of considerable value, entitled 'De la R6gence d'Alger.' Although his health and constitution were at all times delicate, Cavaignac sustained with unfaltering resignation the trials and fatigues of a camp life ; being remarked as constantly the first to meet the enemy, and the last to retire to his tent. At the same time his qualifications for providing resources and administering them when found, were of a high order. Having returned to the corps of Zouavea, as lieutenant-colonel, on the 21st of June 1840, he was created colonel the following year ; but a short time before the battle of laly, he joined the 32nd of the line. It was in the capacity of commander of
the van-guard, in this memorable action, that he eo ably supported General Bugeaud against the army of Marocco. For his behaviour iu this battle he was made mardchal de camp on the 16th of September 1844. After suppressing several revolts among the tribes on the western frontier in 1845, he invaded Morocco in February 1846, at the head of 6000 men, driving before him the redoubtable Emir Abd-el-Kader.
In 1847 ho succeeded Lamoricihre in the government of Oran, and on the 24th of February 1848, he received his appointment as governor-general of Algeria, by a decree from the Provisional Govern ment. Two months after this, Lamartiue, having foreseen the im pending dangers by which France was threatened, invited Cavaignac to the capital. His great ability, and his decision in quelling the insurrection of June, established his character both as a citizen and as a soldier. It was by far the most serious revolt which had occurred since 1789. Cavaignac met the threatened danger with promptitude. A force of 75,000 regulars and nearly 200,000 National Guards was collected In and near the metropolis. Several powerful burioades were approached, smacked, and carried In the regular order of battle, Carakeme klassel4 accompanied by Lamertine, leading the attack of the ono erected in the Faubourg du Temple. On the second day of the Insur rection, Paris was declared in a state of siege, and General Cavalgulo was appointed Dictator, all the civil and military powers being com mittal to his charge. After four days hard fighting, the contest cease to en rod by the defeat of the anarchists. The loss on both sides was appalling: two genii-eh' ware killed, four others mortally and fire badly wounded. In all, some 8000 persona were killed and wounded, sad 11,000 mad. primmer+. No sooner had he quelled this great revolt. than the general laid down his authority. The National Assembly appointed him President of the Council, after which he became one of the candidates for the new office of President of the heraldic. In this mutest he was supported by 1,443,302 votes. On the cad of December 1851 he was arrested, but released after a short detention; and he has since then continued to reside undisturbed in Franc, although 130 has not given his adhesion to the government of the emperor.