19th-Century Military History

The documentation of military history begins with the battle near Basra, Iraq, circa 2700 B.C., between Sumer, now known as Iraq, and Elam, called Iran today. Learn about wars of invasion, revolutions, wars of independence, and others, and track the guideline below to learn more about military history. Military History February 9, 1801 - French Revolutionary Wars: The War of the Second Coalition ends when the Austrians and French sign the Treaty of Lunà ©ville April 2, 1801 - Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson wins the Battle of Copenhagen May 1801 - First Barbary War: Tripoli, Tangier, Algiers, and Tunis declare war on the United States March 25, 1802 - French Revolutionary Wars: Fighting between Britain and France ends with the Treaty of Amiens May 18, 1803 - Napoleonic Wars: Fighting resumes between Britain and France January 1, 1804 - Haitian Revolution: The 13-year war ends with the declaration of Haitian independence February 16, 1804 - First Barbary War: American sailors sneak into Tripoli harbor and burn the captured frigate USS Philadelphia March 17, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: Austria joins the Third Coalition and declares war on France, with Russia joining a month later June 10, 1805 - First Barbary War: The conflict ends when a treaty is signed between Tripoli and the United States October 16-19, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon is victorious at the Battle of Ulm October 21, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: Vice Admiral Nelson crushes the combined Franco-Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar December 2, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: The Austrians and Russians are crushed by Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz December 26, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: The Austrians sign the Treaty of Pressburg, ending the War of the Third Coalition February 6, 1806 - Napoleonic Wars: The Royal Navy wins the Battle of San Domingo Summer 1806 - Napoleonic Wars: The Fourth Coalition of Prussia, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and Britain is formed to fight France October 15, 1806 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon and French forces defeat the Prussians at the Battles of Jena and Auerstà ¤dt February 7-8, 1807 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon and Count von Bennigsen fight to a draw at the Battle of Eylau June 14, 1807 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon routs the Russians at the Battle of Friedland, forcing Tsar Alexander to sign the Treaty of Tilsit that effectively ended the War of the Fourth Coalition June 22, 1807 - Anglo-American Tensions: HMS Leopard fires on USS Chesapeake after the American ship refused to be allowed to be searched for British deserters May 2, 1808 - Napoleonic Wars: The Peninsular War begins in Spain when the citizens of Madrid rebel against French occupation August 21, 1808 - Napoleonic Wars: Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur Wellesley defeats the French at the Battle of Vimeiro January 18, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: British forces evacuate northern Spain after the Battle of Corunna April 10, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: Austria and Britain begin the War of the Fifth Coalition April 11-13, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: The Royal Navy wins the Battle of the Basque Roads June 5-6, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: The Austrians are defeated by Napoleon at the Battle of Wagram October 14, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: The Treaty of Schà ¶nbrunn ends the War of the Fifth Coalition in a French victory May 3-5, 1811 - Napoleonic Wars: British and Portuguese forces hold at the Battle of Fuentes de Oà ±oro March 16-April 6, 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: The Earl of Wellington lays siege to the city of Badajoz June 18, 1812 - War of 1812: The United States declares  war on Britain, beginning the conflict June 24, 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon and the Grande Armà ©e cross the Neman River, beginning the invasion of Russia August 16, 1812 - War of 1812: British forces win the Siege of Detroit August 19, 1812 - War of 1812: USS Constitution captures HMS Guerriere to give the United States the first naval victory of the war September 7, 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: The French defeat the Russians at the Battle of Borodino September 5-12, 1812 - War of 1812: American forces hold  out during the Siege of Fort Wayne December 14, 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: After a long retreat from Moscow, the French army leaves Russian soil January 18-23, 1812 - War of 1812: American forces are beaten at the Battle of Frenchtown Spring 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Prussia, Sweden, Austria, Britain, and a number of the German states form the Sixth Coalition to take advantage of Frances defeat in Russia April 27, 1813 - War of 1812: American forces win the Battle of York April 28-May 9, 1813 - War of 1812: The British are repulsed at Siege of Fort Meigs May 2, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon defeats Prussian and Russian forces at the Battle of Là ¼tzen May 20-21, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Prussian and Russian forces are beaten at the Battle of Bautzen May 27, 1813 - War of 1812: American forces land and capture Fort George June 6, 1813 - War of 1812: American troops are beaten at the Battle of Stoney Creek June 21, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: British, Portuguese, and Spanish forces under Sir Arthur Wellesley defeat the French at the Battle of Vitoria August 30, 1813 - Creek War: Red Stick warriors conduct the Fort Mims Massacre September 10, 1813 - War of 1812: U.S. naval forces under Commodore Oliver H. Perry defeat the British at the Battle of Lake Erie October 16-19, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Prussian, Russian, Austrian, Swedish, and German troops defeat Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig October 26, 1813 - War of 1812:  American forces are held at the Battle of the Chateauguay November 11, 1813 - War of 1812: American troops are beaten at the Battle of Cryslers Farm August 30, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Coalition forces defeat the French at the Battle of Kulm March 27, 1814 - Creek War: Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson wins the Battle of Horseshoe Bend March 30, 1814 - Napoleonic Wars: Paris falls to coalition forces April 6, 1814 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to Elba by the Treaty of Fontainebleau July 25, 1814 - War of 1812: American and British forces fight the Battle of Lundys Lane August 24, 1814 - War of 1812: After defeating American forces at the Battle of Bladensburg, British troops burn Washington, D.C. September 12-15, 1814 - War of 1812: British forces are defeated at the Battle of North Point and Fort McHenry December 24, 1814 - War of 1812: The Treaty of Ghent is signed, ending the war January 8, 1815 - War of 1812: Unaware that the war has ended, Gen. Andrew Jackson wins the Battle of New Orleans March 1, 1815 - Napoleonic Wars: Landing at Cannes, Napoleon returns to France beginning the Hundred Days after escaping from exile June 16, 1815 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon wins his final victory at the Battle of Ligny June 18, 1815 - Napoleonic Wars: Coalition forces led by the Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley) defeat Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, ending the Napoleonic Wars August 7, 1819 - Wars of South American Independence: Gen. Simon Bolivar defeats Spanish forces in Colombia at the Battle of Boyaca March 17, 1821 - Greek War of Independence: The Maniots at Areopoli declare war on the Turks, beginning the Greek War of Independence 1825 - Java War: Fighting begins between the Javanese under Prince Diponegoro and Dutch colonial forces October 20, 1827 - Greek War of Independence: An allied fleet defeats the Ottomans at the Battle of Navarino 1830 - Java War: The conflict ends in a Dutch victory after Prince Diponegoro is captured April 5-August 27, 1832 - Blackhawk War: U.S. troops defeat an alliance of Native American forces in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri October 2, 1835 - Texas Revolution: The war begins with a Texan victory at the Battle of Gonzales December 28, 1835 - Second Seminole War: Two companies of U.S. soldiers under Maj. Francis Dade are massacred by the Seminoles in the first action of the conflict March 6, 1836 - Texas Revolution: After 13 days of siege, the Alamo falls to Mexican forces March 27, 1839 - Texas Revolution: Texan prisoners of war are executed at the Goliad Massacre April 21, 1836 - Texas Revolution: The Texan army under Sam Houston defeats the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto, winning independence for Texas December 28, 1836 - War of the Confederation: Chile declares war on the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, beginning the conflict December 1838 - First Afghan War: A British army unit under Gen. William Elphinstone marches into Afghanistan, starting the war August 23, 1839 - First Opium War: British forces capture Hong Kong in the opening days of the war August 25, 1839 - War of the Confederation: Following defeat at the Battle of Yungay, the Peru-Bolivian Confederation is dissolved, ending the war January 5, 1842 - First Afghan War: Elphinstones army is destroyed as it retreats from Kabul August 1842 - First Opium War: After winning a string of victories, the British force the Chinese to sign the Treaty of Nanjing January 28, 1846 - First Anglo-Sikh War: British forces defeat the Sikhs at the Battle of Aliwal April 24, 1846 - Mexican-American War: Mexican forces rout a small U.S. cavalry detachment in the Thornton Affair May 3-9, 1846 - Mexican-American War: American forces hold out during the Siege of Fort Texas May 8-9, 1846 - Mexican-American War: U.S. forces under Brig. Gen. Zachary Taylor defeat the Mexicans at the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma February 22, 1847 - Mexican-American War: After capturing Monterrey, Taylor defeats Mexican Gen. Antonio Là ³pez de Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista March 9-September 12, 1847 - Mexican-American War: Landing at Vera Cruz, U.S. forces led by Gen. Winfield Scott conduct a brilliant campaign and capture Mexico City, effectively ending the war April 18, 1847 - Mexican-American War: American troops win the Battle of Cerro Gordo August 19-20, 1847 - Mexican-American War: The Mexicans are routed at the Battle of Contreras August 20, 1847 - Mexican-American War: U.S. forces triumph at the Battle of Churubusco September 8, 1847 - Mexican American War: American forces win the Battle of Molino del Rey Septebmer 13, 1847 - Mexican-American War: U.S. troops capture Mexico City after the Battle of Chapultepec March 28, 1854 - Crimean War: Britain and France declare war on Russia in support of the Ottoman Empire September 20, 1854 - Crimean War: British and French forces win the Battle of Alma September 11, 1855 - Crimean War: After an 11-month siege, the Russian port of Sevastopol falls to British and French troops March 30, 1856 - Crimean War: The Treaty of Paris ends the conflict October 8, 1856 - Second Opium War: Chinese officials board the British ship Arrow, leading to the outbreak of hostilities October 6, 1860 - Second Opium War: Anglo-French forces capture Beijing, effectively ending the war April 12, 1861 - American Civil War: Confederate forces open fire on Fort Sumter, beginning the Civil War June 10, 1861 - American Civil War: Union troops are beaten at the Battle of Big Bethel July 21, 1861 - American Civil War: In the first major battle of the conflict, Union forces are defeated at Bull Run August 10, 1861 - American Civil War: Confederate forces win the Battle of Wilsons Creek August 28-29, 1861 - American Civil War: Union forces capture Hatteras Inlet during the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries October 21, 1861 - American Civil War: Union troops are beaten at the Battle of Balls Bluff November 7, 1861 - American Civil War: Union and Confederate forces fight the inconclusive Battle of Belmont November 8, 1861 - American Civil War: Capt. Charles Wilkes removed two Confederate diplomats from RMS Trent, inciting the Trent Affair January 19, 1862 - American Civil War: Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas wins the Battle of Mill Springs February 6, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces capture Fort Henry February 11-16, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate forces are defeated at the Battle of Fort Donelson February 21, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces are beaten at the Battle of Valverde March 7-8, 1862 - American Civil War: Union troops win the Battle of Pea Ridge March 9, 1862 - American Civil War: USS Monitor fights CSS Virginia in the first battle between ironclads March 23, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate troops are defeated at the First Battle of Kernstown March 26-28, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces successfully defend New Mexico at the Battle of Glorieta Pass April 6-7, 1862 - American Civil War: Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant is surprised, but wins the Battle of Shiloh April 5-May 4, 1862 - American Civil War: Union troops conduct the Siege of Yorktown April 10-11, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces capture Fort Pulaski April 12, 1862 - American Civil War: The Great Locomotive Chase takes place in northern Georgia April 25, 1862 - American Civil War: Flag Officer David G. Farragut captures New Orleans for the Union May 5, 1862 - American Civil War: The Battle of Williamsburg is fought during the Peninsula Campaign May 8, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate and Union troops clash at the Battle of McDowell May 25, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate troops win the First Battle of Winchester June 8, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate forces win the Battle of Cross Keys in the  Shenandoah Valley June 9, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces lose the Battle of Port Republic June 25, 1862-   American Civil War: Forces meet at the Battle of Oak Grove June 26, 1862 - American Civil War: Union troops win the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville) June 27, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate forces overwhelm the Union V Corps at the Battle of Gaines Mill June 29, 1862 - American Civil War: Union troops fight the inconclusive Battle of Savages Station June 30, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces hold at the Battle of Glendale (Fraysers Farm) July 1, 1862 - American Civil War: The Seven Days Battles ends  with a Union victory at the Battle of Malvern Hill August 9, 1862 - American Civil War: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks is defeated at the Battle of Cedar Mountain August 28-30, 1862 - American Civil War: Gen. Robert E. Lee wins a stunning victory at the Second Battle of Manassas September 1, 1862 - American Civil War: Union and Confederate forces fight the Battle of Chantilly September 12-15, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate troops win the Battle of Harpers Ferry September 15, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces triumph at the Battle of South Mountain September 17, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces win a strategic victory at the Battle of Antietam September 19, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate forces are beaten at the Battle of Iuka October 3-4, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces hold at the Second Battle of Corinth October 8, 1862 - American Civil War: Union and Confederate forces clash in Kentucky at the Battle of Perryville December 7, 1862 - American Civil War: Armies fight the Battle of Prairie Grove in Arkansas December 13, 1862 - American Civil War: The Confederates win the Battle of Fredericksburg December 26-29, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces are held at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou December 31, 1862-January 2, 1863 - American Civil War: Union and Confederate forces clash at the Battle of Stones River May 1-6, 1863 - American Civil War: Confederate forces win a stunning victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville May 12, 1863 - American Civil War: Confederate forces are beaten at the Battle of Raymond during the Vicksburg Campaign May 16, 1863 - American Civil War: Union forces win a key victory at the Battle of Champion Hill May 17, 1863 - American Civil War: Confederate forces are beaten at the Battle of Big Black River Bridge May 18-July 4, 1863 - American Civil War: Union troops conduct the Siege of Vicksburg May 21-July 9, 1863 - American Civil War: Union troops under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks conduct the Siege of Port Hudson June 9, 1863 - American Civil War: Cavalry forces fight the Battle of Brandy Station July 1-3, 1863 - American Civil War: Union forces under Maj. Gen. George G. Meade win the Battle of Gettysburg and turn the tide in the East