As a young graduate from military school he joined the French military forces under General Bazaine in Mexico supporting the ill-fated Emperor Maximilian of Mexico and returned with those troops to France after the fall of Chapultepec and Maximilian's execution.
He joined the French military forces under General Bazaine in Mexico. This was as a young graduate from military school. He was supporting the ill-fated Emperor Maximilian of Mexico and returned with those troops to France after the fall of Chapultepec. This was as a young graduate from military school. He was supporting the ill-fated Emperor Maximilian of Mexico and returned with those troops to France after Maximilian's execution. This was as a young graduate from military school.