List of battles of the Hundred Days Facts for Kids

This page is about the Napoleonic 1815 War of the Seventh Coalition. For the late medieval Anglo-French war, see List of Hundred Years' War battles.

This article is about the battles and sieges that happened during a very important time in history called the Hundred Days or the War of the Seventh Coalition. This period lasted from March to August 1815. It was a time when Napoleon tried to regain power in France after being exiled.

This war included several smaller campaigns:

The Waterloo campaign (June – July 1815), which was the most famous part.
The Neapolitan War (March – May 1815), which also included the Siege of Gaeta (1815).
Other smaller campaigns in 1815, including the capture of French fortresses.
The Invasion of Guadeloupe (1815) in August 1815.

What Was the Hundred Days War?

The Hundred Days was a period when Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous French leader, escaped from exile. He had been sent away to an island called Elba. He returned to France in March 1815 and quickly gathered an army. This worried many European countries. They formed a group called the Seventh Coalition to stop him.

This short but intense war ended with Napoleon's final defeat. It changed the map of Europe and led to a long period of peace.

Key Battles of the Neapolitan War

The Neapolitan War happened in Italy. It was fought between the Kingdom of Naples, led by Napoleon's brother-in-law Joachim Murat, and the Austrian Empire. Murat wanted to unite Italy, but he was defeated.

Here are some important battles from this period:

Battle of the Panaro (April 3, 1815): A French victory.
Battle of Tolentino (May 2–3, 1815): This was a major battle where the Austrian forces decisively defeated Murat's army. Murat had to flee.
Siege of Gaeta (1815) (May 28 – August 8, 1815): This was a long siege where Coalition forces eventually won.

The Famous Waterloo Campaign

The Waterloo Campaign was the most well-known part of the Hundred Days. It took place in what is now Belgium. Napoleon led his French army against two main forces:

The British and allied army, led by the Duke of Wellington.
The Prussian army, led by Marshal Blücher.

Important Fights Before Waterloo

Action at Gilly (June 15, 1815): A French victory against the Prussians.
Battle of Quatre Bras (June 16, 1815): This battle was fought between the French and Wellington's forces. It was an indecisive fight, meaning neither side truly won.
Battle of Ligny (June 16, 1815): On the same day, Napoleon's main force fought the Prussians. The French won a key victory, forcing the Prussians to retreat.

The Battle of Waterloo

Battle of Waterloo (June 18, 1815): This was the final and most famous battle. Napoleon's army fought a combined force of British, Prussian, and other allied soldiers. After a long and fierce fight, the Coalition forces won a decisive victory. This battle led to Napoleon's second and final abdication (giving up his power).

Other Fights During the Waterloo Campaign

Battle of Wavre (June 18, 1815): While Waterloo was happening, a French force fought the Prussians at Wavre. The French won tactically, but it was a strategic victory for the Coalition. This is because it kept a large part of the Prussian army busy and away from Waterloo.
Action at Namur (June 20, 1815): Coalition forces won this fight.
Capture of Cambrai (June 24–25, 1815): British forces captured this city.
Battle of Villers-Cotterêts (1815) (June 28, 1815): A French victory.
Battle of Aubervilliers (1815) (June 29, 1815): Another French victory.
Battle of Saint-Denis (1815) (June 30, 1815): Coalition forces won.
Battle of Rocquencourt (July 1, 1815): A French victory.
Battle of Sèvres (July 2, 1815): Coalition forces won.
Battle of Issy (July 2–3, 1815): Coalition forces won this battle.

Minor Campaigns and Fortresses

Even after Waterloo, fighting continued in other areas.

Battle of Rocheserviere (June 20, 1815): A victory for Napoleon's supporters.
Battle of La Suffel (June 28, 1815): A French victory.
Reduction of the French fortresses (July 8 – August 16, 1815): After Napoleon's defeat, the Coalition forces worked to take over French fortresses. They were successful.
Invasion of Guadeloupe (1815) (August 8–10, 1815): British and Bourbon forces captured the island of Guadeloupe.

List of battles of the Hundred Days facts for kids