beginning of the war. Later, the corps fell under the command of Marshal François Bazaine in his senior role over the Rhine armies. His division finally saw action at Borny on the 14th of August, where he helped reinforce the French left wing later helping to take back Nouilly thus stretching the Prussian’s right wing contributing their withdrawal. However, when his division was last to arrive near the battlefield at Lessy, Lorencez division was not present for the Battle of Mars-la-Tour just 2 days later. On the 18th, Lorencez was captured during the massive Battle of Gravelotte, the biggest battle of the war, strongly defending the French center, south of St. Privat, at Amanvillers and inflicting heavy casualties on the repulsed Prussian guard and 9th corps, part of Bazaine's breakout attempts before the Siege of Metz (1870). His contraction of yellow fever in Mexico compelled him to retire from active service two years later. He later died in his recently acquired Chateau Laas, which he gained in 1885 through his wife's noble connections, and on 16 July 1892 and left behind a son Etienne Latrille de Lorencez and another daughter, Germaine Latrille de Lorencez and his wife Euphémie Caroline M Pouyanne. He also left his mistress, the Comtesse Emilia Alvarez de Perez and their daughter the Comtesse Emilia Latrille de Lorencez. His home of Chateau Laas would continue to have Lorencez's flag carved into it. Assessment Lorencez established himself as a courageous and ambitious career soldier. He studied military tactics and rose to prominence during the French empire. He was entrusted with independent command in Mexico, but his limitations as senior commander began to show as he was overconfident of his forces. He led a daring strike into the heart of Mexico intending to take the capital but his quick and stubborn assault on Puebla led to disaster. Lorencez was disgraced and robbed of a chance to possibly receive a marshal's baton. However, the general performed at his best once more in the Franco-Prussian war and at Gravelotte, his division, along with IV corps' other divisions took on the main Prussian assault by St. Privat and their lines held against merciless Prussian assaults. Lorencez rose up the ranks of French command as a brave and ambitious soldier, but fell short of independent senior command like his other peers of the age. See also Battle of Puebla Cinco de Mayo References