13 Facts About Antoine Chanzy

Antoine Chanzy subsequently attended the military academy Saint Cyr, and was commissioned in the Zouaves during 1843.

Antoine Chanzy participated in a good deal of fighting in Algeria, and was promoted lieutenant in 1848, and to captain in 1851.

Antoine Chanzy became chef de bataillon in 1856, and served in the Second Italian War of Independence, being present at the battles of Magenta and Solferino.

Antoine Chanzy returned to Algeria as general of brigade, assisted to quell the Arab insurrection, and commanded the subdivisions of Bel Abbes and Tlemcen in 1868.

The Loire army won the greatest success of the French during the entire war at Coulmiers, and followed this with another victorious action at Patay; in both engagements General Antoine Chanzy's corps performed the best.

Antoine Chanzy displayed conspicuous moral courage and constancy, not less than technical skill, in the fighting from the Battle of Beaugency to the Loire.

Antoine Chanzy was made a grand officer of the Legion of Honour, and was elected to the National Assembly.

In 1872, Antoine Chanzy became a member of the committee of defence and commander of the VII Corps, and in 1873 was appointed governor of Algeria and commander of XIX Corps, where he remained for six years.

From 1879 to 1882 Antoine Chanzy was ambassador to Russia, during which time he received many tokens of respect, not only from the Russians, but from the German emperor, William I, and Prince Bismarck.

Antoine Chanzy died suddenly, while commanding the VI Corps, at Chalons-sur-Marne now Chalons-en-Champagne, only a few days after Leon Gambetta, and he received a state funeral.

Antoine Chanzy was the author of La Deuxieme Armee de la Loire.

Statues of General Antoine Chanzy have been erected at Nouart and Le Mans.

Antoine Chanzy was immortalized in Anatole France's classic fiction The Wicker Work Woman.