La Croix MacMahon

The Mac-Mahon Cross marks the spot where Marshal Mac-Mahon was wounded during the fighting on September 1, 1870. On September 1, 1870, the Battle of Sedan began at 4 a.m. with the Bavarian attack on Bazeilles. At 5.45 a.m., Marshal de Mac Mahon arrived on horseback on the Rapaille hill between Balan and La Moncelle.At around 6 a.m., while observing the French and German positions, he was seriously wounded by shrapnel fired from Pont-Maugis. During his evacuation, he sent a message to General Ducrot, commander of the 1st Army Corps, asking him to replace him at the head of his army. His message did not reach its addressee until half past 7.