Bazaine

Bazaine, Francois Achille, was born February 13, 1811, at Versailles. Entering the army in 1832, he won the cross of the Legion of Honour the following year for bravery displayed in Algeria. After fighting against the Carlists in 1837 and taking part in several African expeditions, he commanded a brigade in the Crimea in 1853. He saw further service in the Italian war of 1859, and for his services in Mexico he was made Marshal of France and Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. In the Franco-German war he commanded the Army of the Rhine, and after being shut up in Metz for three months surrendered to Prince Frederick Charles with a force of 173,000 men. For this he was tried by court-martial and sentenced to death, which was commuted to imprisonment for life. In 1874 he escaped from prison and spent the remainder of his life in Madrid, dying in 1888. In 1883 he published his justification in a book, the sale of which was prohibited in France.