Charles Ernest Lullier was born in 1838, admitted into the Naval School
in 1854, and appointed cadet of the second class in 1856. He was
expelled the Naval School for want of obedience and for his irascible
character. When on board the Austerlitz he was noted for his
quarrelsome disposition and his violent behaviour to his superiors as
well as his equals, which led to his removal from the ship and to his
detention for a month on board the Admiral’s ship at Brest. He was
first brought into notoriety by his quarrel with Paul de Cassagnac, the
editor of the _Pays_, whom he challenged, and who refused his cartel.
Lullier is celebrated for several acts of the most violent audacity. He
struck one of the Government counsel in the Palais de Justice, and
openly threatened the Minister of Marine. He was condemned several
times for political offences and breaches of discipline. On the fourth
of September he left Sainte-Pélagie at the same time as Rochefort. He
attacked the new government in every possible way; and when the events
of the 18th March occurred, M. Lullier—the man of action, the man
recommended by Flourens—seized the opportunity to justify the hopes
formed of him by his political associates, who had not lost sight of
him, and who elected him military chief of the insurrection. As General
of the National Guard, he has given us the history of his deeds during
the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd March. He has since complacently
described the energy with which he executed his command, has explained
the means he used, and the points occupied by the insurgents; and has
described in the same style the occupation of the Paris forts by the
National Guard.
When, on the 18th of March, the Central Committee offered him the
command in chief of the National Guard, he would only accept it on the
following conditions:—