Army Leaders of the 1800s

Jean Bernadotte rose rapidly through the ranks during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Made a Marshal of France, Jean Bernadotte saw action at Austerlitz and Wagram. Jean Bernadotte was later made King Charles XIV of Sweden

Marshal Michel Ney was one of Napoleon's most trusted commanders and saw service throughout the Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Enlisting in the army in 1787, Ney rose through the ranks and was commissioned five years later. Marshal Michel Ney fought at such key battles as Hohenlinden, Elchingen, Russia, Lutzen, and Waterloo.

The Duke of Wellington was a key British commander during the Napoleonic Wars. Born Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington came to prominence for his campaigns during the Peninsular War in Spain. The Duke of Wellington is best remembered for his victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

William Henry Harrison joined the army in 1791, at age 18. Serving on the frontier, he later moved through several administrative positions and became governor of the Indiana Territory. During the War of 1812, William Henry Harrison led American forces to victory in western Canada. Following the war, he served in a variety of political posts...

Major General Sir Isaac Brock was a key British officer during the early phases of the War of 1812. A career officer, Brock oversaw the defense Canada and succeeded in capturing Detriot in 1812. Later that year, Isaac Brock was killed during the Battle of Queenston Heights.

General Winfield Scott was a key leader in the US Army during the War of 1812, Mexican-American War, and the early days of the Civil War. Winfield Scott led the American army which captured Mexico City in 1847. In the early days of the Civil War, Scott devised the "Anaconda Plan" for defeating the south.

Major General Zachary Taylor earned famed for his service during the Mexican-American War when he won victories at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterrey, and Buena Vista. Zachary Taylor was a veteran of the War of 1812, Black Hawk War, and the Second Seminole War. In 1848, Zachary Taylor was elected President of the United States and died...

Field Marshal Count Helmuth von Moltke was a key figure in the Prussian Army for much of the 19th century. Made Chief of the General Staff in 1857, he remained in the position for three decades. Helmuth von Moltke modernized the army and developed successful plans for defeating Denmark, Austria, and France.

George A. Custer first achieved fame as a cavalry commander during the Civil War. A reckless soldier, Custer was known for his personal bravery and willingness to attack the enemy. Following the war, he took part in the wars against the Plains Indians. George Custer was killed in 1876, after his men were overrun at the Battle of the Little...

General Nelson A. Miles was a noted American commander during the Civil War, Indian Wars, and Spanish-American War. Earning his stars during the Civil War, Nelson Miles became a famous Indian fighter and oversaw the campaign to capture Geronimo. Nelson Miles later led the invasion of Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War.

A famous Native American warrior, Geronimo battled both Mexican and American forces as a leader of the Chiricahua Apache. Operating in the American Southwest and Northern Mexico, Geronimo eluded capture from 1858 to 1886. On September 4, 1886, Geronimo finally surrendered to US forces under Gen. Nelson Miles.

Major General Charles "Chinese" Gordon was a noted British commander during the 19th century. Charles Gordon rose to prominence for his actions in China and northern Africa. Gordon was killed in 1885 as he defended Khartoum, Sudan during the Mahdist War.