Military career of Napoleon Bonaparte

The military career of Napoleon Bonaparte spanned over 20 years. As military leader, he led the French armies to glory in the Napoleonic Wars. Despite his winning war record, Napoleon's military career ended in defeat. Napoleon has since been regarded 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 volcanic tropical island of St. Helena, 1,950 kilometres (1,210 miles) west of the coast of south-western Africa, and 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi) east of Rio de Janeiro in South America.[2]

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)
Commands heldArmy 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
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This is a stopgap mapping solution, while attempts are made to resolve technical difficulties with {{OSM Location map}}
  Napoleon not listed first as commander
  Napoleon listed first as commander

Battle record summary
No Date Battle Conflict Opponent Location Outcome
1. 29 Aug-19 Dec 1793Siege of Toulon War of the First CoalitionKingdom of Great BritainKingdom of NaplesSpainKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of SicilyFrench RepublicVictory
2. 24-28 Apr 1794Saorgio War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of SardiniaVictory
3. 21 September 1794First Dego War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of SardiniaVictory
4. 5 Oct 179513 Vendémiaire French RevolutionKingdom of FranceFrench RepublicVictory
5. 11-12 Apr 1796Montenotte War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of SardiniaVictory
6. 12-13 Apr 1796Millesimo War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of SardiniaVictory
7. 14-15 Apr 1796Second Battle of Dego War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of SardiniaVictory
8. 16 Apr 1796Ceva War of the First CoalitionKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of SardiniaVictory
9. 21 Apr 1796Mondovi War of the First CoalitionKingdom of SardiniaKingdom of SardiniaVictory
10. 7–9 May 1796Fombio War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
11. 10 May 1796Lodi War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
12. 30 May 1796Borghetto War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
13. 4 Jul 1796-2 Feb 1797Siege of Mantua War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
14. 3-4 Aug 1796Lonato War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
15. 5 Aug 1796Castiglione War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
16. 4 Sep 1796Rovereto War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
17. 8 Sep 1796Bassano War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
18. 14-15 Sep 1796San Giorgio War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
19. 6 Nov 1796Second Bassano War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyDefeat
20. 12 Nov 1796Caldiero War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyDefeat
21. 15-17 Nov 1796Arcole War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
22. 14-15 Jan 1797Rivoli War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
23. 16 Jan 1797La Favorite War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
24. 16 Mar 1797Valvasone War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
25. 16 Mar 1797Tagliamento War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
26. 21-23 Mar 1797Tarvis War of the First CoalitionHabsburg monarchyHabsburg ItalyVictory
27. 10-12 Jun 1798Malta Mediterranean CampaignSovereign Military Order of MaltaMaltaVictory
28. 2 Jul 1798Alexandria Mediterranean CampaignOttoman EmpireMameluk EgyptVictory
29. 13 Jul 1798Shubra Khit French Campaign in Egypt and SyriaOttoman EmpireMameluk EgyptVictory
30. 21 Jul 1798Pyramids French Campaign in Egypt and SyriaOttoman EmpireMameluk EgyptVictory
31. 21-22 Oct 1798Revolt of Cairo French Campaign in Egypt and SyriaFrench EgyptVictory
32. 11-19 Feb 1799Siege of El Arish French Campaign in Egypt and SyriaOttoman EmpireMameluk EgyptVictory
33. 3-7 Mar 1799Siege of Jaffa French Campaign in Egypt and SyriaOttoman EmpireOttoman EmpireVictory
34. 20 Mar-21 May 1799Acre French Campaign in Egypt and SyriaOttoman EmpireKingdom of Great BritainOttoman EmpireDefeat
35. 16 Apr 1799Mount Tabor French Campaign in Egypt and SyriaOttoman EmpireOttoman EmpireVictory
36. 25 Jul 1799Abukir French Campaign in Egypt and SyriaOttoman EmpireFrench EgyptVictory
37. 31 May 1800Combat of Turbigo War of the Second CoalitionHabsburg monarchyKingdom of SardiniaVictory
38. 14 May-1 Jun 1800Siege of Fort Bard War of the Second CoalitionHabsburg monarchyKingdom of SardiniaVictory
39. 14 Jun 1800Marengo War of the Second CoalitionHabsburg monarchyKingdom of SardiniaVictory
40. 15-20 Oct 1805Ulm War of the Third CoalitionHabsburg monarchyElectorate of BavariaVictory
41. 2 Dec 1805Austerlitz War of the Third CoalitionHabsburg monarchyRussian EmpireArchduchy of AustriaVictory
42. 14 Oct 1806Jena War of the Fourth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaElectorate of SaxonyKingdom of PrussiaVictory
43. 9 Nov 1806-15 Jun 1807Greater Poland Uprising War of the Fourth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaKingdom of PrussiaVictory
44. 23 Dec 1806Czarnowo War of the Fourth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaVictory
45. 7-8 Feb 1807Eylau War of the Fourth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaVictory
46. 10 Jun 1807Heilsberg War of the Fourth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaInconclusive
47. 14 Jun 1807Friedland War of the Fourth CoalitionRussian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaVictory
48. 30 Nov 1808Somosierra Peninsular WarSpainSpainVictory
49. 19 Apr 1809Teugen-Hausen War of the Fifth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaVictory
50. 20 Apr 1809Abensberg War of the Fifth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaVictory
51. 21 Apr 1809Landshut War of the Fifth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaVictory
52. 21-22 Apr 1809Eckmühl War of the Fifth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaVictory
53. 23 Apr 1809Ratisbon War of the Fifth CoalitionAustrian EmpirePrincipality of RegensburgVictory
54. 21–22 May 1809Aspern-Essling War of the Fifth CoalitionAustrian EmpireAustrian EmpireDefeat
55. 5-6 Jul 1809Wagram War of the Fifth CoalitionAustrian EmpireAustrian EmpireVictory
56. 10-11 Jul 1809Znaim War of the Fifth CoalitionAustrian EmpireAustrian EmpireVictory
57. 26-27 Jul 1812Vitebsk French Invasion of RussiaRussian EmpireRussian EmpireVictory
58. 16-18 Aug 1812Smolensk French Invasion of RussiaRussian EmpireRussian EmpireVictory
59. 7 Sep 1812Borodino French Invasion of RussiaRussian EmpireRussian EmpireVictory
60. 24 Oct 1812Maloyaroslavets French Invasion of RussiaRussian EmpireRussian EmpireVictory
61. 15-18 Nov 1812Krasnoi French Invasion of RussiaRussian EmpireRussian EmpireDefeat
62. 26-29 Nov 1812Berezina French Invasion of RussiaRussian EmpireRussian EmpireVictory
63. 2 May 1813Lützen War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireKingdom of SaxonyVictory
64. 20–21 May 1813Bautzen War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireKingdom of SaxonyVictory
65. 22 May 1813Reichenbach War of the Sixth CoalitionRussian EmpireKingdom of SaxonyVictory
66. 26-27 Aug 1813Dresden War of the Sixth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireKingdom of SaxonyVictory
67. 17 Sep 1813Kulm War of the Sixth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireSwedenGrand Duchy of Mecklenburg-SchwerinKingdom of SaxonyDefeat
68. 16-19 Oct 1813Leipzig War of the Sixth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireSwedenGrand Duchy of Mecklenburg-SchwerinKingdom of SaxonyDefeat
69. 30-31 Oct 1813Hanau War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of BavariaDuchy of FrankfurtVictory
70. 29 Jan 1814Brienne War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
71. 1 Feb 1814La Rothière War of the Sixth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireDefeat
72. 10 Feb 1814Champaubert War of the Sixth CoalitionRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
73. 11 Feb 1814Montmirail War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
74. 12 Feb 1814Chateau-Thierry War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
75. 14 Feb 1814Vauchamps War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
76. 17 Feb 1814Mormant War of the Sixth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
77. 18 Feb 1814Montereau War of the Sixth CoalitionAustrian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
78. 5 Mar 1814Berry-au-Bac (1814)[3] War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
79. 7 Mar 1814Craonne War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
80. 9-10 Mar 1814Laon War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireDefeat
81. 12-13 Mar 1814Reims War of the Sixth CoalitionKingdom of PrussiaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
82. 20-21 Mar 1814Arcis-sur-Aube War of the Sixth CoalitionAustrian EmpireKingdom of BavariaRussian EmpireFrench EmpireDefeat
83. 26 Mar 1814Sain-Dizier War of the Sixth CoalitionRussian EmpireFrench EmpireVictory
84. 16 Jun 1815Ligny Hundred Day'sKingdom of PrussiaUnited Kingdom of the NetherlandsVictory
85. 18 Jun 1815Waterloo Hundred Day'sKingdom of PrussiaUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandKingdom of HanoverUnited Kingdom of the NetherlandsDuchy of NassauUnited Kingdom of the NetherlandsDefeat

[lower-alpha 1]

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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