Maréchal Forey

Maréchal Elie Frédéric Forey (1804-1872) was commander of the French army in Mexico that placed the ill-fated Emperor Maximilian on the throne.

Born in Paris in 1804, Forey entered the army in 1824. He took part in the earlier Algerian campaigns. He became a captain in 1835, and a colonel in 1844. During the French revolution of 1848 that deposed Louis-Philippe, he attained the rank of a general of brigade. He took an active part in the coup of 1851 that brought Napoleon III to power, and he was made a general of division shortly afterwards. He held a superior command in the Crimea War, and in the Italian campaign of 1859 distinguished himself in action at Montebello. In 1862 Forey was placed in command of the French expeditionary force in Mexico, with the fullest civil and military powers, and he crowned a successful campaign by the capture of Mexico City in May 1863, receiving as his reward a marshal’s baton. From 1863 to 1867 he held high commands in France, but in later years was struck with paralysis and had to retire.

Photographed by Disdéri of Paris.