Battle of Magenta 4th June 1859

Today is the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Magenta during the Second War for Italian independence, between French, Sardinian and other allied forces opposing the Austrian army of occupation.

The war lasted about three months, but many historians believe this is the first major use of railways to transport troops and of rifled artillery.

This map is from Visual-Italy.com, Magenta is centre-stage.

Napoleon III had crossed the Ticoni and outflanked the Austrians under General Gyulai.

 This is a painting of the Imperial Guard, under General Mellinet, seizing the bridge (Ponte Nuovo) over the canal, the Naviglio Grande and holding it for several hours until reinforcements arrived. The painting is by Charpentier and was painted in 1860. I believe it is now in the Musée d'Armée, Les Invalides.

At the end of the day, the French and allied troops had pushed the Austrians out of Magenta and gained a victory.

The Battle of Magenta by Induno, painting in Les Invalides

Marshall MacMohan was made Duke of Magenta, unknown photographer