On his return to France, after the end of hostilities, he gave evidence to a commission into the surrender of Metz, and then retired into private life.

Leboeuf was born at Paris, passed through the École polytechnique and the school of Metz, and distinguished himself as an artillery officer in Algerian warfare, becoming colonel in 1852.

[3] In the Italian War of 1859 he commanded the artillery, and by his action at the battle of Solferino materially assisted in achieving the victory.

In September 1866, having in the meantime become aide-de-camp to Napoleon III, he was dispatched to Venetia to hand over that province to Victor Emmanuel.

[3] On the conclusion of peace he returned to France and gave evidence before the commission of inquiry into the surrender of that stronghold, when he strongly denounced Bazaine.