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Why did many French Foreign Legion soldiers desert during the Mexican campaign?

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French Foreign Legion soldiers in uniform with white hats and rifles stand in formation during a Bastille Day parade on the Champs Elysees in Paris. — French Foreign Legion Soldiers of the French Foreign Legion in a parade celebrating Bastille Day in Paris.

During the French intervention in Mexico (1862–1867), the French Foreign Legion experienced a significant number of desertions as the nature of the conflict shifted.

The primary reason for this increase in desertion was the insurgent character of the fighting, which tested the discipline of the legionnaires. This problem became particularly acute when the unit was operating in close proximity to the Rio Grande, which provided a viable escape route for soldiers looking to abandon their posts. Furthermore, the conclusion of the American Civil War (1861–1865) exacerbated the situation, as it freed up U.S. veterans and weapons that were then used to support the opposition against the French-sponsored Emperor Maximilian, further complicating the military environment for the legion.1