Armand-François Cillart de Suville

Armand-François Marie Cillart de Suville[Note 1] (Séglien, 1 February 1730 — Jersey, 30 June 1801)[2] was a French Navy officer who served in the American Revolutionary War.[3]

Armand-François Cillart de Suville
Born1 February 1730
Séglien, France
Died30 June 1801
Jersey
Service / branchFrench Navy
Rankcontre-amiral
Battles / warsAmerican Revolutionary War
Battle of Grenada
Battle of Martinique
Battle of the Chesapeake
Battle of Cape Spartel

Early life

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Cillart was born in an aristocratic family. His father was captain in a dragoon unit, and two of his brothers, Étienne-François de Cillart de Villeneuve and Jean-Marie de Villeneuve Cillart, also served in the Navy.[3] Cillart joined the Navy as a Garde-Marine in 1746. During the Seven Years' War, he served on the 74-gun Robuste in 1759. He took part in the expedition to Newfoundland under Charles-Henri-Louis d'Arsac de Ternay on the frigate Licorne.[3]

He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1771, and to Captain in 1777.[3] In 1779, he was given command of the 64-gun Réfléchi, part of the White Squadron under Louis Guillouet.[4] Cillart was wounded at the Battle of Grenada on 6 July 1779, and took part in the Battle of Martinique on 18 December 1779 under Lamotte-Picquet.[3]

He later took part in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781.[citation needed]

In 1782, he was promoted to Brigadier.[3] On 20 October, he commanded the 74-gun Actif at the Battle of Cape Spartel, under Admiral Córdova.[3]

In 1786, he was promoted to Chef d'Escadre.[3]

On 1 January 1792, he was promoted to contre-amiral.[3]

Notes

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  1. ^ Often misspelt writes "Surville"[1]

References

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  1. ^ Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 622.
  2. ^ Hauterive & Révérend (1855), pp. 331–332.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Contenson (1934), p. 159.
  4. ^ Lacour-Gayet (1910), p. 616.

Further reading

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  • Contenson, Ludovic (1934). La Société des Cincinnati de France et la guerre d'Amérique (1778-1783). Paris: éditions Auguste Picard. OCLC 7842336.
  • Hauterive, André Borel; Révérend, Albert (1855). Annuaire de la noblesse de France et des maisons souveraines de l'Europe. Vol. 12. Paris: Champion.
  • Lacour-Gayet, Georges (1910). La marine militaire de la France sous le règne de Louis XVI. Paris: Honoré Champion.