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Military career of Napoleon

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Emperor of the French

Napoleon
The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries by Jacques-Louis David, 1812
Nickname(s)"General Vendémiaire", "The Little Corporal", "Napoleon the Great"
Born(1769-08-15)August 15, 1769
Ajaccio, Corsica
DiedMay 5, 1821(1821-05-05) (aged 51)
Longwood, St. Helena
AllegianceFrance
Service / branchTrained as an artillerist
Years of service1779–1815
RankCommander in Chief (Head of State)
CommandsArmy of Italy
Army of the Orient
French Army
Grande Armée
Battles / warsFrench Revolutionary Wars

Napoleonic Wars

AwardsGrand Master of the Legion of Honour
Grand Master of the Order of the Reunion
Grand Master of the Order of the Iron Crown
Grand Master of the Order of the Three Golden Fleeces
RelationsHouse of Bonaparte
Other workSovereign of Elba, writer
Battles of Napoleon Bonaparte
Map
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1000km
620miles
Waterloo
18
Battle of Ligny on 16 June 1815 Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815
Saint-
Dizier
17
Battle of Brienne on 29 January 1814 Battle of La Rothière on 1 February 1814 Battle of Champaubert on 10 February 1814 Battle of Montmirail on 11 February 1814 Battle of Château-Thierry (1814) on 12 February 1814 Battle of Vauchamps on 14 February 1814 Battle of Mormant on 17 February 1814 Battle of Montereau on 18 February 1814 Battle of Craonne on 7 March 1814 Battle of Laon from 9 to 10 March 1814 Battle of Reims (1814) from 12 to 13 March 1814 Battle of Arcis-sur-Aube from 20 to 21 March 1814 Battle of Saint-Dizier on 26 March 1814
Leipzig
16
Battle of Lützen (1813) on 2 May 1813 Battle of Bautzen (1813) from 20 to 21 May 1813 Battle of Dresden from 26 to 27 August 1813 Battle of Leipzig from 16 to 19 October 1813 Battle of Hanau from 30 to 31 October 1813
Berezina
15
Battle of Berezina from 26 to 29 November 1812
Borodino
14
Battle of Vitebsk on 26 July 1812 Battle of Smolensk on 16 August 1812 Battle of Borodino on 7 September 1812
Wagram
13
Battle of Teugen-Hausen on 19 April 1809 Battle of Abensberg on 20 April 1809 Battle of Landshut (1809) on 21 April 1809 Battle of Eckmühl from 21 to 22 April 1809 Battle of Ratisbon on 23 April 1809 Battle of Aspern-Essling from 21 to 22 May 1809 Battle of Wagram from 5 to 6 July 1809 Battle of Znaim from 10 to 11 July 1809
Somosierra
12
Battle of Somosierra on 30 November 1808
Friedland
11
Battle of Czarnowo on 23 December 1806 Battle of Eylau from 7 to 8 February 1807 Battle of Friedland on 14 June 1807
Jena
10
Battle of Jena–Auerstedt on 14 October 1806
Austerlitz
9
Battle of Ulm from 15 to 20 October 1805 Battle of Austerlitz on 2 December 1805
Marengo
8
Siege of Fort Bard from May 14 to June 1, 1800 Battle of Marengo on 14 June 1800
Cairo
7
Battle of Shubra Khit on 13 July 1798 Battle of the Pyramids on 21 July 1798 Revolt of Cairo from 21 to 22 October 1798 Siege of El Arish from 8 to 20 February 1799 Siege of Jaffa from 3 to 7 March 1799 Siege of Acre (1799) from 20 March to 21 May 1799 Battle of Mount Tabor (1799) on 16 April 1799 Battle of Abukir (1799) on 25 July 1799
Malta
6
French invasion of Malta from 10 to 12 June 1798
5
Battle of Castiglione on 5 August 1796 Siege of Mantua (1796–1797) from 27 August 1796 to 2 February 1797 Battle of Rovereto on 4 September 1796 Battle of Bassano on 8 September 1796 Second Battle of Bassano on 6 November 1796 Battle of Caldiero (1796) on 12 November 1796 Battle of Arcole from 15 to 17 November 1796 Battle of Rivoli from 14 to 15 January 1797 Battle of Valvasone (1797) on 16 March 1797 Battle of Tagliamento on 16 March 1797 Battle of Tarvis (1797) from 21 to 23 March 1797
4
Battle of Montenotte from 11 to 12 April 1796 Battle of Millesimo from 13 to 14 April 1796 Second Battle of Dego from 14 to 15 April 1796 Battle of Ceva on 16 April 1796 Battle of Mondovì from 20 to 22 April 1796 Battle of Fombio from 7 to 9 May 1796 Battle of Lodi on 10 May 1796 Battle of Borghetto on 30 May 1796 Battle of Lonato from 3 to 4 August 1796
Paris
3
13 Vendémiaire on 5 October 1795
2
Second Battle of Saorgio (1794) from 24 to 28 April 1794
Toulon
1
Siege of Toulon (1793) from 29 August to 19 December 1793
  Napoleon not listed first as commander
  Napoleon listed first as commander

The military career of Napoleon Bonaparte spanned over 20 years. As military leader, he led the French armies to defeat in the Napoleonic Wars. Despite his losing war record and ending in defeat, Napoleon is regarded in Europe as a military genius and one of the finest commanders in history. His wars and campaigns have been studied at military schools worldwide. He fought more than 80 battles, losing only eleven, mostly at the end when the French army was not as dominant.[1] The French dominion collapsed rapidly after the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon was defeated in 1814 and exiled to the island of Elba, before returning and was finally defeated in 1815 at Waterloo. He spent his remaining days in British custody on the remote island of St. Helena.[2]

Battle record summary

No Date Battle Opponent Location Outcome
1. 29 Aug-19 Dec 1793 Siege of Toulon Kingdom of Great BritainKingdom of NaplesSpainKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of Sicily French Republic Victory
2. 24-28 Apr 1794 Saorgio Habsburg monarchyKingdom of Sardinia Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
3. 21 September 1794 First Dego Habsburg monarchyKingdom of Sardinia Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
4. 5 Oct 1795 13 Vendémiaire Kingdom of France French Republic Victory
5. 11-12 Apr 1796 Montenotte Habsburg monarchyKingdom of Sardinia Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
6. 12-13 Apr 1796 Millesimo Habsburg monarchyKingdom of Sardinia Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
7. 14-15 Apr 1796 Second Battle of Dego Habsburg monarchyKingdom of Sardinia Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
8. 16 Apr 1796 Ceva Kingdom of Sardinia Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
9. 21 Apr 1796 Mondovi Kingdom of Sardinia Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
10. 7-9 May 1796 Fombio Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
11. 10 May 1796 Lodi Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
12. 30 May 1796 Borghetto Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
13. 4 Jul 1796-2 Feb 1797 Siege of Mantua Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
14. 3-4 Aug 1796 Lonato Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
15. 5 Aug 1796 Castiglione Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
16. 4 Sep 1796 Rovereto Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
17. 8 Sep 1796 Bassano Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
18. 6 Nov 1796 Second Bassano Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Defeat
19. 12 Nov 1796 Caldiero Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Defeat
20. 15-17 Nov 1796 Arcole Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
21. 14-15 Jan 1797 Rivoli Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
22. 16 Jan 1797 La Favorite [fr] Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
23. 16 Mar 1797 Valvasone Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
24. 16 Mar 1797 Tagliamento Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
25. 21-23 Mar 1797 Tarvis Habsburg monarchy Habsburg Italy Victory
26. 10-12 Jun 1798 Malta Sovereign Military Order of Malta Malta Victory
27. 2 Jul 1798 Alexandria [fr] Ottoman Empire Mameluk Egypt Victory
28. 13 Jul 1798 Shubra Khit Ottoman Empire Mameluk Egypt Victory
29. 21 Jul 1798 Pyramids Ottoman Empire Mameluk Egypt Victory
30. 21-22 Oct 1798 Revolt of Cairo French Egypt Victory
31. 11-19 Feb 1799 Siege of El Arish Ottoman Empire Mameluk Egypt Victory
32. 3-7 Mar 1799 Siege of Jaffa Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire Victory
33. 20 Mar-21 May 1799 Acre Ottoman EmpireKingdom of Great Britain Ottoman Empire Defeat
34. 16 Apr 1799 Mount Tabor Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire Victory
35. 25 Jul 1799 Abukir Ottoman Empire French Egypt Victory
36. 31 May 1800 Combat of Turbigo Habsburg monarchy Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
37. 14 May-1 Jun 1800 Siege of Fort Bard Habsburg monarchy Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
38. 14 Jun 1800 Marengo Habsburg monarchy Kingdom of Sardinia Victory
39. 15-20 Oct 1805 Ulm Habsburg monarchy Electorate of Bavaria Victory
40. 2 Dec 1805 Austerlitz Habsburg monarchyRussian Empire Archduchy of Austria Victory
41. 14 Oct 1806 Jena Kingdom of PrussiaElectorate of Saxony Kingdom of Prussia Victory
42. 9 Nov 1806-15 Jun 1807 Greater Poland Uprising Kingdom of Prussia Kingdom of Prussia Victory
43. 23 Dec 1806 Czarnowo Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire Kingdom of Prussia Victory
44. 7-8 Feb 1807 Eylau Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire Kingdom of Prussia Indecisive
45. 14 Jun 1807 Friedland Russian Empire Kingdom of Prussia Victory
46. 30 Nov 1808 Somosierra Spain Spain Victory
47. 19 Apr 1809 Teugen-Hausen Austrian Empire Kingdom of Bavaria Victory
48. 20 Apr 1809 Abensberg Austrian Empire Kingdom of Bavaria Victory
49. 21 Apr 1809 Landshut Austrian Empire Kingdom of Bavaria Victory
50. 21-22 Apr 1809 Eckmühl Austrian Empire Kingdom of Bavaria Victory
51. 23 Apr 1809 Ratisbon Austrian Empire Principality of Regensburg Victory
52. 21-22 May 1809 Aspern-Essling Austrian Empire Austrian Empire Defeat
53. 5-6 Jul 1809 Wagram Austrian Empire Austrian Empire Victory
54. 26-27 Jul 1812 Vitebsk Russian Empire Russian Empire Victory
55. 16-18 Aug 1812 Smolensk Russian Empire Russian Empire Victory
56. 7 Sep 1812 Borodino Russian Empire Russian Empire Victory
57. 15-18 Nov 1812 Krasnoi Russian Empire Russian Empire Defeat
58. 26-29 Nov 1812 Berezina Russian Empire Russian Empire Inconclusive
59. 2 May 1813 Lützen Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire Kingdom of Saxony Victory
60. 20-21 May 1813 Bautzen Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire Kingdom of Saxony Victory
61. 22 May 1813 Reichenbach [fr] Russian Empire Kingdom of Saxony Victory
62. 26-27 Aug 1813 Dresden Austrian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire Kingdom of Saxony Victory
63. 17 Sep 1813 Kulm Austrian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireSwedenGrand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Kingdom of Saxony Defeat
64. 16-19 Oct 1813 Leipzig Austrian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireSwedenGrand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Kingdom of Saxony Defeat
65. 30-31 Oct 1813 Hanau Kingdom of Bavaria Duchy of Frankfurt Victory
66. 29 Jan 1814 Brienne Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Victory
67. 1 Feb 1814 La Rothière Austrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaKingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Defeat
68. 10 Feb 1814 Champaubert Russian Empire French Empire Victory
69. 11 Feb 1814 Montmirail Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Victory
70. 12 Feb 1814 Chateau-Thierry Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Victory
71. 14 Feb 1814 Vauchamps Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Victory
72. 17 Feb 1814 Mormant Austrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaRussian Empire French Empire Victory
73. 18 Feb 1814 Montereau Austrian Empire French Empire Victory
74. 5 Mar 1814 Berry-au-Bac [fr] (1814)[3] Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Victory
75. 7 Mar 1814 Craonne Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Victory
76. 9-10 Mar 1814 Laon Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Defeat
77. 12-13 Mar 1814 Reims Kingdom of PrussiaRussian Empire French Empire Victory
78. 20-21 Mar 1814 Arcis-sur-Aube Austrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaRussian Empire French Empire Defeat
79. 26 Mar 1814 Sain-Dizier Russian Empire French Empire Victory
80. 16 Jun 1815 Ligny Kingdom of Prussia United Kingdom of the Netherlands Victory
81. 18 Jun 1815 Waterloo Kingdom of PrussiaUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandKingdom of HanoverUnited Kingdom of the NetherlandsDuchy of Nassau United Kingdom of the Netherlands Defeat

[a]

References

  1. ^ For comprehensive coverage, see Chandler (1973).[4] For an overall view of the military history of the era see Trevor N. Dupuy and R. Ernest Dupuy, The Encyclopedia of Military History (2nd ed., 1970) pp. 730–770.
  1. ^ Roberts says his losses came at Siege of Acre (1799), Battle of Aspern-Essling (1809), Battle of Leipzig (1813), Battle of La Rothière (1814), Battle of Laon (1814), Battle of Arcis-sur-Aube (1814), and Battle of Waterloo (1815). Andrew Roberts, "Why Napoleon merits the title 'the Great,'" BBC History Magazine (1 November 2014)
  2. ^ Andrew Roberts, Napoleon: A Life (2014)
  3. ^ Jean Tranié et Juan-Carlos Carmigniani, Napoléon : 1814 - La campagne de France, Pygmalion/Gérard Watelet, 1989, 315 p.
  4. ^ David G. Chandler, The Campaigns of Napoleon (1973) excerpt and text search

Further reading

Main article: Napoleonic Wars § Further reading
  • Chandler, David G. The Campaigns of Napoleon (1973) 1172 pp; a detailed guide to all major battles excerpt and text search
  • Crowdy, Terry. Napoleon's Infantry Handbook (2015)
  • Dupuy, Trevor N. and Dupuy, R. Ernest. The Encyclopedia of Military History (2nd ed. 1970) pp 730–770
  • Elting, John R. Swords Around a Throne: Napoleon's Grand Armee (1988)
  • Esdaile, Charles. Napoleon's Wars: An International History 1803-1815 (2008), 621pp
  • Gates, David. The Napoleonic Wars 1803-1815 (NY: Random House, 2011)
  • Hazen, Charles Downer. The French Revolution and Napoleon (1917) online free
  • Nafziger, George F. The End of Empire: Napoleon's 1814 Campaign (2014)
  • Parker, Harold T. "Why Did Napoleon Invade Russia? A Study in Motivation and the Interrelations of Personality and Social Structure," Journal of Military History (1990) 54#2 pp 131–46 in JSTOR.
  • Pope, Stephen (1999). The Cassel Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars. Cassel. ISBN 0-304-35229-2.
  • Riley, Jonathon P. Napoleon as a General (Hambledon Press, 2007)
  • Rothenberg, Gunther E. (1988). "The Origins, Causes, and Extension of the Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon". Journal of Interdisciplinary History. 18 (4): 771–793. JSTOR 204824. JSTOR 204824
  • Rothenberg, E. Gunther. The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon (1977)
  • Schneid, Frederick C. (2011). The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Mainz: Institute of European History.
  • Shoffner, Thomas A. Napoleon's Cavalry: A Key Element to Decisive Victory (2014)
  • Smith, Digby George. The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book: Actions and Losses in Personnel, Colours, Standards and Artillery (1998)
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