Auguste Alexandre Ducrot, a French general, born in Nevers in 1817. After receiving his education at St. Cyr, he served for many years in Algeria, and subsequently in Italy. * In 1865 he was promoted to the rank of general of division, and in 1869 was put in command of the 6th division, quartered at Strasburg. During the ensuing war he was attached to the forces of MacMahon. In the attempt at effecting a junction with Bazaine in Metz, he was the first to reach the Meuse. On Sept. 1 he fought valiantly at the battle of Sedan, and when MacMahon was wounded he received from him the command in chief. He intended to retreat toward Belgium, but was prevented by the arrival of Gen. Wimpffen, who took command in accordance with precautionary orders brought from the minister of war. After the surrender Ducrot refused to accept the favors extended to the French officers, and was put under arrest at Pont-a-Mousson. He escaped soon after, and reaching Paris obtained command of the 13th and 14th corps, with which he fought the bloody but indecisive battles of Rueil, La Jonchere, and Buzenval. At the close of November and the beginning of December he operated with the second army in the great sorties S. of Paris and on the Marne, but failing in his enterprises, he withdrew to the woods of Vincennes. He also participated in the last and disastrous sortie of Jan. 19, 1871. After the capitulation he was elected to the national assembly, but was not reelected.

In 1872 he was made commander-in-chief of the 8th army corps. In 1871 he published La journee de Sedan, De l'etat-major et des diffe-rentes armes, and La verite sur l'Algerie.