French cavalry officer.

Gendarme in Scottish company (1757). Quartermaster with rank of captain of cavalry (1765). Taught at a military riding academy; published Essais sur l’équitation (1773) and Eléments de la tactique pur la cavalerie (1776). Recruited by Silas Deane for American service (October 1776). Commissioned lieutenant colonel, then colonel and inspector general of cavalry, in Continental army, but soon resigned (1777). Fought on frontier; killed by Indians near Detroit.

Son of Antoine and Marguerite (Reynaud) Mottin de la Balme of Saint-Antoine, Isère.