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Georg and his daughter sailed on the Confederate smuggler’s ship from New Orleans to France. After they had arrived, he placed his young daughter in the care of one of Louisa’s family members in Paris.
While he was in Paris, Georg requested an audience with Emperor Napoleon III. He secured the appointment after he had informed the Emperor’s secretary, he was an intimate friend of the late Stéphanie de Beauharnais. She was godmother to his deceased wife.
Georg was ushered into the Emperor’s private salon in the Tuileries Palace. Georg stood at attention when he saw the Emperor sitting at his desk writing a letter. He waited patiently for the Emperor to finish. When the Emperor set his pen down, Georg said in a low voice:
“Your Imperial Majesty, I wish a few moments of your time.”
Emperor Napoleon III stared at the former soldier standing in front of him. At that point, he picked up another piece of paper and skimmed it quickly. His gaze returned to the soldier standing in front of him.
“So, you were friends with my cousin, Stéphanie de Beauharnais? God rest her soul.” He said.
Georg cleared his throat. “Yes, my wife was her goddaughter, your Imperial Majesty!” He said firmly.
The French Emperor looked back down at his paper. He had received information about Georg from French Military Intelligence in Paris. He checked it again to see if it confirmed the soldier’s story.
“I understand you would like to rejoin the army, is that right?” The Emperor said.
“Yes, your Imperial Majesty. My wife is now dead, and my child is with my wife’s family. But only if your Imperial Majesty would allow it.” Georg stammered.
“No, I do not allow it.” Emperor Napoleon III said while writing a new dispatch for his military.
Georg was startled, his mind whirled. “What would he do now?” He thought to himself. Being a soldier was all he knew.
“I have a better job for you.“ The French Emperor said.
Emperor Napoleon III stood up from his desk and walked over to a large-scale map of North America hanging in the salon. It contained tiny pins in Mexico, which identified the location of French troops. Emperor Napoleon III stared at the map and turned back to Georg still standing at attention.
“I would like you to act as a liaison between my troops in Mexico.” He pointed at the map. “And the Confederate Government in Richmond.”
“We have an opportunity to exploit the riches of gold and silver in Mexico during their so-called War between the States.” He continued. “My advisers have told me there is an immense amount of gold and silver here!“ and he pointed at northwest Mexico near the California border.
“I want you to meet with my generals to arrange for you to command a scouting expedition to find this gold and silver. And then meet with Jefferson Davis to determine if the Confederate Army can win. ” The Emperor put down his pointer and walked back to his desk to write out orders for Georg.
He turned back to Georg and handed him his orders and said: “I would like you to leave right away. I will have my assistant arrange for your passage to Mexico disguised as a Paris businessman. This mission will be top-secret, do you understand?”
Emperor Napoleon III stared at Georg. “Yes, your Imperial Majesty, I understand!” Georg responded and saluted the Emperor. “Thank you, your Imperial Majesty. I can leave right away!” He said with even more emphasis as he placed the Imperial orders in his coat pocket.
The Emperor dismissed him and returned to his desk to continue writing a dispatch to his generals.
Georg immediately secured passage on the next ship from France, leaving for Veracruz, Mexico. He would be sailing as a businessman under the protection of the French flag. But he was really a spy for French Military Intelligence.
