Bazaine', Fran

ÇOIS ACHILLE, a marshal of France, в. 1811, enlisted as a private in 1831, became general of division in 1855, took a command in the French army occupying Mexico in 1862, succeeded Forey as commander-in-chief in 1863, and was made a marshal in 1864. He married a rich Mexican lady, whose family sided with Juarez, and while persuading Maximilian to i ue rigorous decrees against the Juarists, he was engaged with them in secret plottings, in pursuance of personal ambitious schemes. In Feb., 1867, he abandoned Maximilian and embarked at Vera Cruz with his forces. Though violently censured in France, he soon became commander-in-chief of the imperial guard at Paris. On the outbreak of the Franco-German war in 1870, he was placed in command of the 3d corps. On Aug. 9th he took the command of the main French armies collected round Metz, and on Oct. 27th he surrendered to Frederick Charles with his entire force of 173,000 men, who became prisoners of war. After the signature of the preliminary treaty of peace, B., the object of general execration, took refuge at Geneva. Returning to Paris in 1872, he was brought before a council of war, presided over by the Duc d'Aumale, and, Dec. 10, 1873, condemned to death "for having, while at the head of an army in the open country, signed a capitulation without having done all that duty and honor required from a commander, and for having delivered up to the enemy the fortre of Metz without having exhausted all the means of defending it." Marshal MacMahon commuted the penalty to 20 years' confinement. In 1874, B. escaped from his prison in the Isle of St. Marguerita, and finally took refuge in Spain, where he D. 1888.