Page "François Achille Bazaine" Paragraph 2

Instead he enlisted in the French Army as a private soldier in 1831 with a view to service in Algeria, where in 1833 he received a commission as sub-lieutenant in the Foreign Legion, it having been formed by Louis Philippe ( King of France 1830-1848 ) in 1831.

He rose rapidly through the ranks ( Lieutenant 1835, Captain 1837 ), through successful actions during the Foreign Legion campaign in Algeria and against the Carlists in Spain ( 1835 – 1839 ), where in 1835 he was cited for bravery and gallantry in action on several occasions and rewarded with the cross ( Chevalier ) of the Légion d ' honneur after only four years in the Army.

After serving a second campaign with the Foreign Legion in Spain in 1837-38 ( wounded: bullet in the right leg, Battle of Barbastro, 1837 ), Bazaine returned to Algeria in 1839 and took part in the expeditions to Milianah, Tlemcen, Morocco and Sahara.

He was mentioned as instrumental in the surrender of Abd-el-Kader.

In 1844 he was promoted to Major ( wounded: bullet in the right wrist during action at Macta, 1845 ) and then to Lieutenant Colonel in 1848 after 9 years service in Algeria and Morocco, including several years heading France's Bureau Arabe ( military intelligence ) as Governor of Tlemcen.

In 1850, he was promoted to full Colonel and given command of the 1st Regiment of the Foreign Legion, based in North Africa.

He married his first wife Maria Juana de la Soledad, on 12 June 1852 at Versailles.