Mac Mahon

Edme Patrice Maurice de Mac Mahon (1808 – 1893), a French soldier and politician played an important part in the story of the Risorgimento.

Having distinguished himself in the Crimean War, he was sent by Napoleon III to head the II French Army Corps fighting in northern Italy in support of the Piedmontese troops in the 2nd War of Independence.

On 4 June 1859, Mac Mahon led the Franco-Sardinian operation against the Austrians at Magenta, winning a major victory which enabled the French and Piedmontese forces to enter Milan (8 VI 1859).