Part V: The Empress
Empress Eugenie
As Napoleon III saw to the union of the French armies, Empress Eugenie continued to rule as regent in Paris. Eugenie was a highly capable figure who Napoleon had come to rely upon more and more in recent years as his health declined. From the onset of the war, Eugenie had pushed the emperor into a more militant stance encouraging him to lead the army in person despite his various illnesses.
In her role as regent, Eugenie held daily meetings of the privy council. She also entreated with foreign diplomats such as Austria’s Richard von Metternich and Italy’s Costantino Nigra. Getting these two powers to apply pressure to Prussia would be essential to bringing about peace. Italy, in particular, had taken up a favorable position since Napoleon’s withdrawal of his garrison from Rome in early August.
The situation in Paris was less than stable during the emperor’s absence. The French people and press, though elated by the victory at Mars-la-Tour, were furiously demanding that every inch of French soil be defended. To solidify her hold on power the Empress had taken the step of removing Prime Minister Emile Ollivier and replacing him with General Montauban de Palikao, who was also entrusted with the War Ministry, on August 9th.
Palikao brought the capital into a state of military readiness and set to work organizing some one hundred thousand Garde Mobile. He additionally held discussions with Naval Minister Charles de Genouilly. The two discussed using the superior French navy to blockade the German coast and perhaps even mount an amphibious landing.