Jules Brunet (2 January 1838 – 12 August 1911) was a French military officer who played a significant role in the Boshin War in Japan. Originally a member of the French Military Mission to Japan, he notably sided with the Tokugawa shogunate's remnants and the Republic of Ezo against the Imperial forces during the Meiji Restoration.
Early Life and Career
Born in Belfort, France, Jules Brunet pursued a military career, graduating from the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1855. He served with distinction in various campaigns, including the French intervention in Mexico, where he was awarded the Légion d'honneur for his bravery. By 1867, he held the rank of Captain in the French Army and was an artillery expert.French Military Mission to Japan
In 1867, Brunet was dispatched to Japan as a member of the French Military Mission, an advisory group invited by the Tokugawa shogunate to modernize its army. The mission arrived in January 1867 and began training the shogunate's elite troops. Brunet, a skilled artillery officer, was highly regarded by the shogunate.Boshin War and Republic of Ezo
The political landscape in Japan dramatically shifted with the beginning of the Boshin War in early 1868, pitting the Tokugawa shogunate against Imperial forces seeking to restore the Emperor's power. Following the decisive defeat of shogunate forces at the Battle of Toba–Fushimi and the subsequent surrender of Edo Castle, the French mission was ordered by its government to leave Japan.However, Brunet, along with several other French officers, refused to comply. Motivated by a sense of loyalty to the shogunate and a belief in their cause, he chose to resign his commission (a formality not recognized by the French government) and join the resistance. He became a key foreign advisor to Enomoto Takeaki, a former shogunal admiral, and other loyalists who fled to the northern island of Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido).
Brunet helped organize and train the shogunate's remaining forces, playing a crucial role in the establishment of the short-lived Republic of Ezo in December 1868. He participated in the defense of Hakodate and the fortress of Goryōkaku. Brunet's tactical advice and knowledge of modern warfare were invaluable to the Ezo Republic's forces, even though they were ultimately outnumbered and outgunned by the advancing Imperial army.
Return to France and Later Career
The Republic of Ezo fell in May 1869 after the Battle of Hakodate. Brunet, along with other French volunteers, was evacuated by a French corvette just before the final collapse, avoiding capture by Imperial forces. Upon his return to France, he faced a minor reprimand for his unauthorized involvement in the Boshin War but was not severely punished, partly due to public sympathy and the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).Brunet served with distinction in the Franco-Prussian War, where he was wounded and decorated. His military career continued to flourish. He was promoted to Colonel in 1879, Général de brigade in 1891, and Général de division in 1899. He commanded the 28th Infantry Division and served as the Governor of the military school of Saint-Cyr. He retired from military service in 1903.