of the first occasions where the fragility of a large recently conscripted army was demonstrated. The Garde Mobile could only be relied upon when defending a fortified position and were almost useless for an attack launched in the style of the Napoleonic Wars. However, almost the entire French regular army was already lost at the battles of Sedan and Metz. This was one of the primary reasons that the Prussians were victorious in the Franco-Prussian War following a string of unexpected French reverses, of which Beaune-la-Rolande was the most spectacular. A sortie from Paris was intended to coincide with the battle but this was delayed until November 30, news of the delay not reaching Aurelle until after the battle due to poor winds for the hot air balloons used as messengers. Upon receiving news of this sortie the Army of the Loire wheeled to the right to bypass Beaune-la-Rolande and march on Paris. Casualties French casualties amounted to around 8,000 soldiers killed and wounded and 100 taken prisoner. The Prussians lost 817 soldiers and 37 officers killed. The French impressionist painter Frédéric Bazille, serving as an enlisted man in the 3rd Zouaves, was killed in action at Beaune-la-Rolande whilst leading his unit in the first attack, his officer having been injured. Alexander Siemens, the German electrical engineer who founded the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians, also fought in the battle as a private in the Prussian army, received a wound and was awarded the Iron Cross for courage. References Battle of Beaune-la-Rolande Conflicts in 1870 Battles involving France Battles of the Franco-Prussian War Battles involving Prussia Beaune-la-Rolande History of Loiret November 1870 events