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Born at Montelimar (France) on 17 August 1804, joined the French
army as a volunteer in 1823, becoming in 1827 a sub-lieutenant in
the Royal Bodyguards. In 1835, he got promotion as captain. In 1838,
he accompanied General Ventura, then on leave in France, to the
Punjab where he was employed as commandant of Cuirassiers in the
Khalsa army, on a monthly salary of Rs 800. In 1839 he along with
Foulkes accompanied Ventura on an expedition to Mandi, in the hills.
Foulkes was killed at Mandi in 1841 by his own troops, but Mouton's
life was spared. Mouton went to France early in 1844 and married
Louise Brigitte Jolly. Returning to the Punjab in 1845, he fought
in the first Anglo-Sikh war (1845-46). He, in concert with Hurbon,
had planned the defence of Sabhraon. After the war, the British
deported Mouton to France. He was reinstated in the French army,
with a colonel's rank and had the Legion of Honour bestowed upon
him. He participated in the Crimean War. He retired from the army
in 1865 and died in Algeria on 9 November 1876.
Mouton published a report in French, Rapport
(Paris 1846) in which he described himself as commandant of the
regular cavalry of the Sikh army.
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