Armand-François Cillart de Suville

Armand-François Marie Cillart de Suville was a French Navy officer who served in the American Revolutionary War.

Early life

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. Cillart joined the Navy as a Gardes de [la Marine|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.
He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1771, and to Captain in 1777. In 1779, he was given command of the 64-gun Réfléchi, part of the White Squadron under Louis Guillouet, [comte d'Orvilliers|Louis Guillouet]. Cillart was wounded at the Battle of Grenada on 6 July 1779, and took part in the Battle of [Martinique (1779)|Battle of Martinique] on 18 December 1779 under Toussaint-Guillaume [Picquet de la Motte|Lamotte-Picquet].
He later took part in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781.
In 1782, he was promoted to Brigadier. On 20 October, he commanded the 74-gun Actif at the Battle of Cape Spartel, under Admiral Córdova y Córdova|Córdova].
In 1786, he was promoted to Chef d'Escadre.
On 1 January 1792, he was promoted to contre-amiral.