Open Access

Butcher’s Bills: Engagement-level preponderance and casualties in the French Revolution Wars and Napoleonic Wars, 1792–1815

   | Mar 11, 2024

Cite

1 Keeley, L. H. (1996). War before Civilization: The Myth of the Peaceful Savage. Oxford University Press, New York, p. 81. Keeley L. H. ( 1996 ). War before Civilization: The Myth of the Peaceful Savage . Oxford University Press , New York , p. 81 . Search in Google Scholar

2 Kirkpatrick, D. L. (2021). How Important are Superior Numbers? A Reappraisal of Lanchester’s Square Law. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 5; Kirkpatrick D. L. ( 2021 ). How Important are Superior Numbers? A Reappraisal of Lanchester’s Square Law . Cambridge University Press , Cambridge , p. 5 ; Search in Google Scholar

Clark, S. (2013). Wearing away the stone: Assessing theories of combat attrition. Comparative Strategy, 32(2), pp. 115–132, p. 116. Clark S. ( 2013 ). Wearing away the stone: Assessing theories of combat attrition . Comparative Strategy , 32 ( 2 ), pp. 115 132 , p. 116. Search in Google Scholar

3 Lettre 118—De Mme De Sévigné a Mme De Grignan. Lettres de Madame de Sévigné. Firmin Didot, Paris, p. 1846. Lettre 118—De Mme De Sévigné a Mme De Grignan . Lettres de Madame de Sévigné . Firmin Didot , Paris , p. 1846 . Search in Google Scholar

4 The success of non-violent mass movements is also associated with the number of their participants. Beissinger, M. R. (2022). The Revolutionary City: Urbanization and the Global Transformation of Rebellion. Princeton University Press, Princeton, pp. 175–180. The success of non-violent mass movements is also associated with the number of their participants Beissinger M. R. ( 2022 ). The Revolutionary City: Urbanization and the Global Transformation of Rebellion . Princeton University Press , Princeton , pp. 175 180 . Search in Google Scholar

5 Nolan, C. J. (2017). The Allure of Battle: A History of how Wars have been Won and Lost. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 13–17. Nolan C. J. ( 2017 ). The Allure of Battle: A History of how Wars have been Won and Lost . Oxford University Press , Oxford , pp. 13 17 . Search in Google Scholar

6 Nolan, p. 13. Nolan , p. 13 . Search in Google Scholar

7 Nolan, p. 195. Nolan , p. 195 . Search in Google Scholar

8 Esdaile. (2007), p. 221. Esdaile . ( 2007 ), p. 221 . Search in Google Scholar

9 Malkasian, C. (2002). A History of Modern Wars of Attrition. Prager, Westport, CT, p. 13. Malkasian C. ( 2002 ). A History of Modern Wars of Attrition . Prager , Westport, CT , p. 13 . Search in Google Scholar

10 Lynn, J. A. (1996). The Bayonets of the Republic: Motivation and Tactics in the Army of Revolutionary France, 1791-1794. Westview Press, Boulder, CO, p. 45. Lynn J. A. ( 1996 ). The Bayonets of the Republic: Motivation and Tactics in the Army of Revolutionary France, 1791-1794 . Westview Press , Boulder, CO , p. 45 . Search in Google Scholar

11 Nolan, p. 108. Nolan , p. 108 . Search in Google Scholar

12 Lefebvre, G. (1969). Napoleon: From Tilsit to Waterloo, 1807-1815. Columbia University Press, New York, p. 312. Lefebvre G. ( 1969 ). Napoleon: From Tilsit to Waterloo, 1807-1815 . Columbia University Press , New York , p. 312 . Search in Google Scholar

13 Bell, D. A. (2007). The First Total War: Napoleon’s Europe and the Birth of Warfare as we Know it. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, p. 9; Bell D. A. ( 2007 ). The First Total War: Napoleon’s Europe and the Birth of Warfare as we Know it . Houghton Mifflin , Boston , p. 9 ; Search in Google Scholar

13a Esdaile, C. (2007). Napoleon’s Wars: An International History. Penguin Books, New York, pp. 118–119. Esdaile C. ( 2007 ). Napoleon’s Wars: An International History . Penguin Books , New York , pp. 118 119 . Search in Google Scholar

14 Bell, p. 135; Bell , p. 135 ; Search in Google Scholar

Isabella, M. (2023). Southern Europe in the Age of Revolutions. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NY, p. 57. Isabella M. ( 2023 ). Southern Europe in the Age of Revolutions . Princeton University Press , Princeton, NY , p. 57 . Search in Google Scholar

15 Slocpol, T. (1979). States and Social Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia and China. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 198. Slocpol T. ( 1979 ). States and Social Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia and China . Cambridge University Press , Cambridge , p. 198 . Search in Google Scholar

16 Posen, B. R. (1993). Nationalism, the Mass Army, and Military Power. International Security, 18(2), pp. 80–124, p. 83. Posen B. R. ( 1993 ). Nationalism, the Mass Army, and Military Power . International Security , 18 ( 2 ), pp. 80 124 , p. 83. Search in Google Scholar

17 Gates, D. (2001). Warfare in the Nineteenth Century. Palgrave, New York, p. 35. Gates D. ( 2001 ). Warfare in the Nineteenth Century . Palgrave , New York , p. 35 . Search in Google Scholar

18 Clark, C. (2006). Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Fall of Prussia, 1600-1947. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, pp. 307, 327. Clark C. ( 2006 ). Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Fall of Prussia, 1600-1947 . Harvard University Press , Cambridge, MA , pp. 307 , 327. Search in Google Scholar

19 Bell, pp. 252–253. Bell , pp. 252 253 . Search in Google Scholar

20 Clark, p. 327-330; Clark , p. 327 330 ; Search in Google Scholar

Bell, pp. 252–253. Bell , pp. 252 253 . Search in Google Scholar

21 Nolan, pp. 149–150. Nolan , pp. 149 150 . Search in Google Scholar

22 Grossman, D. (1995). On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society. Back Bay Books, Boston, p. 8 Grossman D. ( 1995 ). On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society . Back Bay Books , Boston , p. 8 Search in Google Scholar

23 Muir, R. (1998). Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, p. 76 Muir R. ( 1998 ). Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon . Yale University Press , New Haven, CT , p. 76 Search in Google Scholar

24 Grossman, pp. 10–11. Grossman , pp. 10 11 . Search in Google Scholar

25 Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001). The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. W.W. Norton, New York, p. 274. Mearsheimer J. J. ( 2001 ). The Tragedy of Great Power Politics . W.W. Norton , New York , p. 274 . Search in Google Scholar

26 Mearsheimer, p. 275. Mearsheimer , p. 275 . Search in Google Scholar

27 Bell, pp. 131–138 Bell , pp. 131 138 Search in Google Scholar

28 Andress, D. (2005). The Terror: The Merciless War for Freedom in Revolutionary France. Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, New York, p. 159. Andress D. ( 2005 ). The Terror: The Merciless War for Freedom in Revolutionary France . Farrar, Strauss and Giroux , New York , p. 159 . Search in Google Scholar

29 Andress, pp. 194–195. Andress , pp. 194 195 . Search in Google Scholar

30 Nester, W. (2023). The Coalitions against Napoleon: How British Money, Manufacturing and Military Power Forged the Alliances that Achieved Victory. Frontline Books, Yorkshire, UK, p. 68. Nester W. ( 2023 ). The Coalitions against Napoleon: How British Money, Manufacturing and Military Power Forged the Alliances that Achieved Victory . Frontline Books , Yorkshire, UK , p. 68 . Search in Google Scholar

31 Mearsheimer, p. 282. Mearsheimer , p. 282 . Search in Google Scholar

32 Piketty, T. (2020). Capital and Ideology. Arthur Goldhammer, trans., Harvard University Press, Cambridge, pp. 471–472. Piketty T. ( 2020 ). Capital and Ideology. Arthur Goldhammer, trans ., Harvard University Press , Cambridge , pp. 471 472 . Search in Google Scholar

33 Mearsheimer, p. 282. Mearsheimer , p. 282 . Search in Google Scholar

34 Gates, p. 35. Gates , p. 35 . Search in Google Scholar

35 Connelly, O. (2006). The Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon, 1792-1815. Routledge, London, p. 117; Connelly O. ( 2006 ). The Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon, 1792-1815 . Routledge , London , p. 117 ; Search in Google Scholar

Rothenberg, G. E. (1980). The Art of War in the Age of Napoleon. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN, p. 134. Rothenberg G. E. ( 1980 ). The Art of War in the Age of Napoleon . Indiana University Press , Bloomington, IN , p. 134 . Search in Google Scholar

36 Isabella, p. 72. Isabella , p. 72 . Search in Google Scholar

37 Esdaile. (2007), pp. 60–61, 136, 282. Esdaile . ( 2007 ), pp. 60 61 , 136, 282. Search in Google Scholar

38 Boerke, A. M. (2009). Conscription in the Hapsburg empire in 1815. In: Stoker, D., Schneid, F. C., & Blanton, H. D. (eds), Conscription in the Napoleonic Era: A Revolution in Military Affairs? (Routledge, London, pp. 66–83), p. 76; Boerke A. M. ( 2009 ). Conscription in the Hapsburg empire in 1815 . In: Stoker D. Schneid F. C. , & Blanton H. D. (eds), Conscription in the Napoleonic Era: A Revolution in Military Affairs? ( Routledge , London , pp. 66 83 ), p. 76; Search in Google Scholar

38a Rothenberg, G. E. (1973). The Hapsburg Army in the Napoleonic Wars. Military Affairs, 37(1), p. 105, p. 1. Rothenberg G. E. ( 1973 ). The Hapsburg Army in the Napoleonic Wars . Military Affairs , 37 ( 1 ), p. 105 , p. 1. Search in Google Scholar

39 Rothenberg. The Hapsburg Army in the Napoleonic Wars, p. 3. Rothenberg . The Hapsburg Army in the Napoleonic Wars , p. 3 . Search in Google Scholar

40 Walter, D. (2009). Meeting the French challenge: Conscription in Prussia, 1807-1815. In: Stoker, D., Schneid, F. C., & Blanton, H. D. (eds.), Conscription in the Napoleonic Era: A Revolution in Military Affairs? (Routledge, London, pp. 24–45), p. 30; Walter D. ( 2009 ). Meeting the French challenge: Conscription in Prussia, 1807-1815 . In: Stoker D. Schneid F. C. , & Blanton H. D. (eds.), Conscription in the Napoleonic Era: A Revolution in Military Affairs? ( Routledge , London , pp. 24 45 ), p. 30 ; Search in Google Scholar

40a Lefebvre, G. (1969). Napoleon: From Tilsit to Waterloo, 1807-1815. Columbia University Press, New York, pp. 264–265; Lefebvre G. ( 1969 ). Napoleon: From Tilsit to Waterloo, 1807-1815 . Columbia University Press , New York , pp. 264 265 ; Search in Google Scholar

40b Leggiere, M. V. (2002). Napoleon and Berlin: The Franco-Prussian War in North Germany, 1813. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK, p. 57. Leggiere M. V. ( 2002 ). Napoleon and Berlin: The Franco-Prussian War in North Germany, 1813 . University of Oklahoma Press , Norman, OK , p. 57 . Search in Google Scholar

41 Lieven, D. (2009). Russia against Napoleon: The True Story of the Epic Campaigns of War and Peace. Viking, New York, p. 117. Lieven D. ( 2009 ). Russia against Napoleon: The True Story of the Epic Campaigns of War and Peace . Viking , New York , p. 117 . Search in Google Scholar

42 Connelly. The Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon, p. 219. Connelly . The Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon , p. 219 . Search in Google Scholar

43 Malkasian, p. 16. Malkasian , p. 16 . Search in Google Scholar

44 Muir, R. (2015). Wellington: The Path to Victory, 1769-1814. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, pp. 368–369. Muir R. ( 2015 ). Wellington: The Path to Victory, 1769-1814 . Yale University Press , New Haven, CT , pp. 368 369 . Search in Google Scholar

45 Esdaile, C. J. (2009). Conscription in Spain in the Napoleonic Era. In: Stoker, D., Schneid, F. C., & Blanton, H. D. (eds.), Conscription in the Napoleonic Era: A Revolution in Military Affairs? (Routledge, London, pp. 102–121), pp. 102–103. Esdaile C. J. ( 2009 ). Conscription in Spain in the Napoleonic Era . In: Stoker D. Schneid F. C. , & Blanton H. D. (eds.), Conscription in the Napoleonic Era: A Revolution in Military Affairs? ( Routledge , London , pp. 102 121 ), pp. 102–103. Search in Google Scholar

46 Holsti, O. R., Hopmann, P. T., & Sullivan, J. D. (1973). Unity and Disintegration in International Alliances: Comparative Studies. John Wiley & Sons, New York, p. 22. Holsti O. R. Hopmann P. T. Sullivan J. D. ( 1973 ). Unity and Disintegration in International Alliances: Comparative Studies . John Wiley & Sons , New York , p. 22 . Search in Google Scholar

47 Lieven, pp. 368–369. Lieven , pp. 368 369 . Search in Google Scholar

48 Berkovich, I. (2017). Motivation in War: The Experience of Common Soldiers in Old-Regime Europe. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 192–193. Berkovich I. ( 2017 ). Motivation in War: The Experience of Common Soldiers in Old-Regime Europe . Cambridge University Press , Cambridge , pp. 192 193 . Search in Google Scholar

49 Connelly, O. (1965). Napoleon’s Satellite Kingdoms. The Free Press, New York, pp. 194–196. Connelly O. ( 1965 ). Napoleon’s Satellite Kingdoms . The Free Press , New York , pp. 194 196 . Search in Google Scholar

50 Connelly, Napoleon’s Satellite Kingdoms, pp. 196–197. Connelly , Napoleon’s Satellite Kingdoms , pp. 196 197 . Search in Google Scholar

51 Riley, J. P. (2000). Napoleon and the World War of 1813: Lessons in Coalition Warfighting. Routledge, New York, p. 19. Riley J. P. ( 2000 ). Napoleon and the World War of 1813: Lessons in Coalition Warfighting . Routledge , New York , p. 19 . Search in Google Scholar

52 Lefebvre, p. 59. Lefebvre , p. 59 . Search in Google Scholar

53 Ozment, S. (2004). A Mighty Fortress: A New History of the German People. Perennial, New York, p. 157. Ozment S. ( 2004 ). A Mighty Fortress: A New History of the German People . Perennial , New York , p. 157 . Search in Google Scholar

54 Zamoyski, A. (2007). Rites of Peace: The Fall of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna. Harper Perennial, New York, p. 21. Zamoyski A. ( 2007 ). Rites of Peace: The Fall of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna . Harper Perennial , New York , p. 21 . Search in Google Scholar

55 Ozment, p. 158. Ozment , p. 158 . Search in Google Scholar

56 Planert, U. (2006). From collaboration to resistance, politics, experience, and the memory of the revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars in Southern Germany. Central European History, 39(4), pp. 676705, p. 677. Planert U. ( 2006 ). From collaboration to resistance, politics, experience, and the memory of the revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars in Southern Germany . Central European History , 39 ( 4 ), pp. 676 705 , p. 677. Search in Google Scholar

57 Ozment, p. 159; Ozment , p. 159 ; Search in Google Scholar

57a Clark, p. 195; Clark , p. 195 ; Search in Google Scholar

57b Esdaile. (2007), pp. 138–139. Esdaile . ( 2007 ), pp. 138 139 . Search in Google Scholar

58 Lieven, p. 171. Lieven , p. 171 . Search in Google Scholar

59 The 5200 strong Polish Legion was part of the army of 31,139 that Napoleon deployed in the 1802 reinvasion of Saint-Domingue/Haiti. See Marr, J. S., & Cathey, J. T. (2013). The 1802 saint domingue yellow fever epidemic and the Louisiana purchase. Journal of Public Health Management Practice, 19(1), pp. 77–82, p. 78. The 5200 strong Polish Legion was part of the army of 31,139 that Napoleon deployed in the 1802 reinvasion of Saint-Domingue/Haiti. See Marr J. S. Cathey J. T. ( 2013 ). The 1802 saint domingue yellow fever epidemic and the Louisiana purchase . Journal of Public Health Management Practice , 19 ( 1 ), pp. 77 82 , p. 78. Search in Google Scholar

60 Mearsheimer, pp. 277–278; Mearsheimer , pp. 277 278 ; Search in Google Scholar

60a Opello, W. C. (2016). War, Armed Force, and the People: State Formation and Transformation in Historical Perspective. Rowman and Littlefield, London, p. 112. Opello W. C. ( 2016 ). War, Armed Force, and the People: State Formation and Transformation in Historical Perspective . Rowman and Littlefield , London , p. 112 . Search in Google Scholar

61 Lieven, p. 218. Lieven , p. 218 . Search in Google Scholar

62 Lefebvre, p. 78. Lefebvre , p. 78 . Search in Google Scholar

63 Malkasian, p. 17. Malkasian , p. 17 . Search in Google Scholar

64 Malkasian, pp. 17–19. Malkasian , pp. 17 19 . Search in Google Scholar

65 Lefebvre, p. 314. Lefebvre , p. 314 . Search in Google Scholar

66 Lachouque, H. A. (1967). Roy Monkcom, trans., Napoleon’s Battles: A History of His Campaigns. E.P. Dutton, New York. Lachouque H. A. ( 1967 ). Roy Monkcom, trans ., Napoleon’s Battles: A History of His Campaigns . E.P. Dutton , New York . Search in Google Scholar

67 Lachouque, p. 178. Lachouque , p. 178 . Search in Google Scholar

68 Lepingwell, J. E. R. (1987). The laws of combat? Lanchester reexamined. International Security, 12(1), pp. 89–134, p. 93. Lepingwell J. E. R. ( 1987 ). The laws of combat? Lanchester reexamined . International Security , 12 ( 1 ), pp. 89 134 , p. 93. Search in Google Scholar

69 Lepingwell, p. 93 Lepingwell , p. 93 Search in Google Scholar

70 Lenk, M., Lenk, R., & Tofallis, C. (2014, October 14). Quantifying Victory: Napoleon’s Armies’ Victories and Losses. Available at http:// dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2509740 [accessed 17 February, 2022]. Lenk M. Lenk R. , & Tofallis C. ( 2014 , October 14 ). Quantifying Victory: Napoleon’s Armies’ Victories and Losses . Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2509740 [accessed 17 February, 2022 ]. Search in Google Scholar

71 Clark, pp. 118–119. Clark , pp. 118 119 . Search in Google Scholar

72 Willard, D. (1962). Lanchester as Force in History: An Analysis of Land Battles of the Years 1618-1905. Research Analysis Corporation, Bethesda, MD, pp. 9, 20-21. Willard D. ( 1962 ). Lanchester as Force in History: An Analysis of Land Battles of the Years 1618-1905 . Research Analysis Corporation , Bethesda, MD , pp. 9 , 20-21. Search in Google Scholar

73 Willard, p. 28. Willard , p. 28 . Search in Google Scholar

74 Fain, J. B. (1977). The Lanchester equations and historical warfare: An analysis of Sixty World War II engagements. History, Numbers, and War, 1(1), 34-51, p. 36. Fain J. B. ( 1977 ). The Lanchester equations and historical warfare: An analysis of Sixty World War II engagements . History, Numbers, and War , 1 ( 1 ), 34 51 , p. 36. Search in Google Scholar

75 Kirkpatrick, D. L. (2021). How Important are Superior Numbers? A Reappraisal of Lanchester’s Square Law. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Kirkpatrick D. L. ( 2021 ). How Important are Superior Numbers? A Reappraisal of Lanchester’s Square Law . Cambridge University Press , Cambridge . Search in Google Scholar

76 Lotzin, F. C. (2012). The Emperor on the Battlefield: Napoleon’s Worth as a Commander. Anchor Academic, Hamburg, Germany. Lotzin F. C. ( 2012 ). The Emperor on the Battlefield: Napoleon’s Worth as a Commander . Anchor Academic , Hamburg, Germany . Search in Google Scholar

77 Lotzin, p. 62. Lotzin , p. 62 . Search in Google Scholar

78 Griffiths, p. 232. Griffiths , p. 232 . Search in Google Scholar

79 Hickman, J. (2009). What is a prisoner of war for? Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, 36(2), pp. 19–35. Hickman J. ( 2009 ). What is a prisoner of war for? Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies , 36 ( 2 ), pp. 19 35 . Search in Google Scholar

80 Strathern, P. (2009). Napoleon in Egypt. Bantam Books, New York, p. 281. Strathern P. ( 2009 ). Napoleon in Egypt . Bantam Books , New York , p. 281 . Search in Google Scholar

81 Strathern, p. 281. Strathern , p. 281 . Search in Google Scholar

82 Stathern, p. 282. Stathern , p. 282 . Search in Google Scholar

83 Dwyer, P. (2013). Citizen Emperor: Napoleon in Power. Yale University Pres, New Haven, CT, pp. 205–206. Dwyer P. ( 2013 ). Citizen Emperor: Napoleon in Power . Yale University Pres , New Haven, CT , pp. 205 206 . Search in Google Scholar

84 Dwyer, pp. 241–242. Dwyer , pp. 241 242 . Search in Google Scholar

85 Smith, D. (1998). The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book: Actions, and Losses in Personnel, Colours, Standards, and Artillery, 1792-1815. Greenhill Books, London. Smith D. ( 1998 ). The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book: Actions, and Losses in Personnel, Colours, Standards, and Artillery, 1792-1815 . Greenhill Books , London . Search in Google Scholar

86 Muir, Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon, p. 68; Muir , Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon , p. 68 ; Search in Google Scholar

Rothenberg, The Art of War in the Age of Napoleon, p. 138. Rothenberg , The Art of War in the Age of Napoleon , p. 138 . Search in Google Scholar

87 Lotzin, p. 36. Lotzin , p. 36 . Search in Google Scholar

eISSN:
1799-3350
Language:
English
Publication timeframe:
Volume Open
Journal Subjects:
History, Topics in History, Military History, Social Sciences, Political Science, Military Policy