Bazaine, Marshal F. A. (1811-88). Although François Achille Bazaine had middle-class origins, when he failed to gain admittance to military academy he enlisted into the infantry. After transferring to the French Foreign Legion as a sergeant, he was commissioned in 1833, and fought bravely in Algeria (see Algeria, French conquest of) and Spain. He commanded a brigade in the Crimean war and a division in Italy. In 1862 he took a division on the Mexican expedition, became C-in-C there the following year, and marshal in 1865. When Napoleon III realized that the military commitment could not be sustained, Bazaine handled the withdrawal with skill.
On the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 he commanded III Corps, and after the defeats of 6 August was given ill-defined authority over the army's left wing, and then its formal command. He was not the senior marshal, and felt uncomfortable with generals educated at military academies, but enjoyed broad political support, encouraged by his ranker background. He displayed his customary courage at Rezonville, but failed to control the battle and fell back at its conclusion. He played little part at Gravelotte/Saint-Privat (see Rezonville/Gravelotte), and then withdrew into Metz, where he surrendered in late October. In 1873 Bazaine was court-martialled and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted, but he soon escaped, and died in Spain. Vilified for his failings in 1870, Bazaine was a brave soldier wholly out of his professional depth.
— Richard Holmes
