Jean-François Gentil

[3] His father emigrated to France during the year 1792 with three of his sons, including Jean-François Gentil, with whom he campaigned in the Armée des Émigrés.

[7] Thus, after his return from Prussia, Gentil then reinforced the army corps that roamed the Iberian Peninsula, and he distinguished himself at the Siege of Astorga in the Kingdom of León from 21 March 1810.

As a reward for his heroic conduct on this day of 26 August 1813, he received as a gratuity the medal of the cross of the Legion of Honour.

While Napoleon was trying to stop the invasion of France and keep his throne, Captain Gentil was shot in the head in the Épinal affair[clarification needed] dated 11 January 1814.

In 1819, Marshal Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr wanted to modify the organization and the military spirit of the French royal guard.

[10][11] Promoted to the rank of Maréchal de camp, General Gentil was appointed at the beginning of 1844 to command the military subdivision and the territory of Algiers in Mitidja.