Manuel Robles Pezuela (23 May 1817 – 23 March 1862) was a military engineer, military commander, and eventually interim president of Mexico during a civil war, the War of Reform, being waged between conservatives and liberals, in which he served as president of the Conservatives, in opposition to President Benito Juarez, head of the Liberals. He was a known moderate, and his administration was marked by failed efforts to come to a compromise with the liberals. The Conservatives lost the war in 1860, and only two years later, Robles attempted to join General Almonte's efforts to aid the French during the Second French Intervention, but was captured en route by the liberal government, and executed. Early life and military career Manuel Robles Pezuela was born in Guanajuato on May 23, 1817, to Francisco Robles, engineer and colonel, and Josefina Pezuela. He enrolled in the College of Mining at which his father was the director and was awarded prizes for his academic achievements in chemistry, english, and geography. In 1840 he obtain the rank of engineering official with honors. In 1842, Robles was promoted to captain of engineers and in 1846, a lieutenant colonel. That year he engaged in important geodesic and topographic projects in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. He built the majority of the road between Vera Cruz and San Juan, with the intention of continuing to road up to Jalapa. He drew up plans for Vera Cruz, and worked on that city's docks. He was a member of the Mexican Society of Statistics and of the Paris Geographical Society. He saw action throughout Mexico during the Mexican–American War. He commanded the engineers in Vera Cruz and was present for the siege and bombardment of that city. For his services in that battle he was given a medal of honor by the state congress of Vera Cruz. As commander of engineers he was present at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, being at the hill of El Telegrafo when the Americans were temporarily repulsed, remaining there until the Mexican forces were ultimately defeated. He found himself under the immediate command of Santa Anna, at the Battle of Chapultepec, after having left defenses ready at Peñol Viejo. In 1852, he was Minister of War, but dissatisfied with the regime of Santa Anna, he resigned, and traveled through the United States, England, and the Ottoman Empire, making a study of fortresses, military, and