The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Marchand, Jean Baptiste
(zhäN bätst´ märshäN´) (KEY) , 18631934, French explorer and general. Sent to Africa (1897) to establish French control of the headwaters of the White Nile, Marchand led a heroic trek through uncharted terrain. In 1898 he established a post at Fashoda (now Kodok) and resisted dervish attacks. When Lord Kitchener arrived with a large British force, France and England stood at the brink of war; the Fashoda Incident ended with Marchands withdrawal. Marchand fought in China in the Boxer Uprising (1900) and held a command in France in World War I.