Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon Stuns All at Austerlitz

December 2, 1805 - French forces under Napoleon win the Battle of Austerlitz (right). Meeting in Moravia, Napoleon was attacked by the forces of Russia and Austria between the towns of Austerlitz and Brunn on December 2, 1805. Fighting a nine-hour battle, Napoleon masterfully out-generaled Tsar Alexander I and Emperor Francis II and won a stunning victory in which over 17,000 of the enemy were killed, wounded, or captured. The victory at Austerlitz was one of the highlights of Napoleon's brilliant career and effectively ended the War of the Third Coalition. As a result of the fighting, the Austrians were compelled to sign the Treaty of Pressburg which cost them territory and a 40 million-franc war indemnity.

Photograph Source: Public Domain