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

AncientPages.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 a Marshal of France, General Élie Frédéric Forey.

Earlier, on March 16, General Forey and the French Army began the siege of Puebla which surrendered to the French shortly afterward, on May 17. On April 30, the French Foreign Legion earned its fame in the Battle of Camarón.

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 soldiers.

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

On May 31, President Juárez fled the city with his cabinet, retreating northward to Paso del Norte and later to Chihuahua. They took all-state treasures with them.

The government-in-exile remained in Chihuahua until 1867.

On June 7, French troops under an officer of the French army, François Achille Bazaine (1811 –1888) entered Mexico City on June 7, 1863. Three days later, the main army entered the city, led by General Forey.

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

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

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

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