On This Day In History: Franco-Mexican War – Mexico City Captured By French Troops – On June 7, 1863

MessageToEagle.com – On June 7, 1863, French troops under General François Achille Bazaine entered Mexico City.

The main army entered the city three days later led by General Forey.

Earlier, on March 16, General Forey and the French Army began the siege of Puebla. (Puebla surrendered to the French shortly afterward, on 17 May.)

On 30 April, the French Foreign Legion earned its fame in the Battle of Camarón, when an infantry patrol unit of 62 soldiers and three officers, led by the one-handed Captain Jean Danjou, was attacked and besieged by Mexican infantry and cavalry units numbering three battalions, about 3000 men.

They were forced to make a defence in Hacienda Camarón. Danjou was mortally wounded at the hacienda, and his men mounted an almost suicidal bayonet attack, fighting to nearly the last man; only three French Legionnaires survived.

On 31 May, President Juárez fled the city with his cabinet, retreating northward to Paso del Norte and later to Chihuahua.

Having taken the treasure of the state with them, the government-in-exile remained in Chihuahua until 1867.

French troops under Bazaine entered Mexico City on 7 June 1863. The main army entered the city three days later led by General Forey.

General Almonte was appointed the provisional President of Mexico on 16 June, by the Superior Junta (which had been appointed by Forey).

The Superior Junta with its 35 members met on 21 June, and proclaimed a Catholic Empire on 10 July.

The crown was offered to Maximilian, following pressures by Napoleon. Maximilian accepted the crown on 3 October, at the hands of the Comisión Mexicana, sent by the Superior Junta.

MessageToEagle.com