Battle of Magenta

For other uses, see Magenta (disambiguation).

Battle of Magenta
Part of the Second Italian War of Independence
The Italian camp at the Battle of Magenta
Date 4 June 1859 Location Magenta, present-day Italy Result Franco-Sardinian victory
Belligerents
France Sardinia	Austria
Commanders and leaders
Napoleon III Mac-Mahon	Ferencz Gyulaj
Strength
59,100 infantry 91 guns	125,000 infantry
Casualties and losses
657 dead 3,858 wounded	1,368 dead 4,538 wounded 4,500 captured

Map of the Second Italian War of Independence

The Battle of Magenta was fought on June 4, 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence, resulting in a French-Sardinian victory under Napoleon III against the Austrians under Marshal Ferencz Gyulai.

It took place near the town of Magenta in northern Italy on June 4, 1859. Napoleon III's army crossed the Ticino River and outflanked the Austrian right forcing the Austrian army under General Gyulai to retreat. The battle of Magenta was not particularly large, but it was a decisive victory for the French-Sardinian forces. Marie Edme Patrice Maurice de MacMahon (1808-1893) was created Duke of Magenta for his role in this battle, and later served as President of the French Republic.

Aftermath

The colour magenta, discovered in 1859, was named after this battle.

See also

• Battle of Palestro
• Battle of Varese

External links

• The web site of the battle. Template:En icon Template:It icon Template:Fr icon Template:De icon

45°27′22″N 8°48′7″E