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What was Napoleon III's role in the Battle of Solferino?

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Portrait of Napoleon III in a dark military uniform with gold epaulettes, a red sash, and medals, set against a deep red background. Painted by Hippolyte Flandrin. — Napoleon III Napoleon III, detail of a portrait by Hippolyte Flandrin, 1862; in the Versailles Museum.

At the Battle of Solferino on June 24, 1859, Napoleon III served as the commander of the Franco-Piedmontese army alongside Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia-Piedmont.1

During the engagement, which was part of the second War of Italian Independence, Napoleon III led his forces against the Austrian army commanded by Emperor Francis Joseph I. The battle was characterized by confused, piecemeal fighting that resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. Napoleon III’s presence in command during this victory led him to believe in his own military genius; however, the extreme bloodshed and the fear of potential intervention by the German Confederation prompted him to seek a truce shortly thereafter. This decision led to the Conference of Villafranca, where he negotiated a preliminary peace with Austria without consulting his Piedmontese allies.123