The French invading force at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 numbered about 6,000 soldiers.
The force was commanded by Charles de Lorencez and was sent during France’s intervention in Mexico. It attacked Mexican defensive positions at Puebla on May 5, expecting to overcome the defenders and advance toward Mexico City.
The Mexican army was substantially smaller, commonly described as roughly 4,000 troops under Ignacio Zaragoza. Despite the disparity, repeated French assaults failed, and the French withdrew after suffering significant losses. The result became a powerful symbol of Mexican resistance.
Exact troop counts can vary slightly among historical summaries because estimates depend on whether supporting units and available reserves are included. “About 6,000” is the standard rounded figure for the French force involved in the battle.