← Military & Defence

Historical Military Battles

Depictions of notable historical battles from various periods, featuring soldiers, weaponry, and military formations in black and white style.

First Battle of Bull Run - July 21, 1861 Artist Unknown

Maenner auf einer Guanoinsel umgeben von Seevoegeln, deren Kot sie als Duenger einsammeln wollen, Men on guano island surrounded by sea birds whose droppings they want to collect as fertilizer, South America, Historisch, historical, digitally improved reproduction of an original from the 19th century, digitally restored reproduction of an original from the 19th century, exact original date not known

The Peiho (now Bai) Forts protecting Tianjin and Beijing. Date: 1873

Prussian siege battery outside Paris, Illustrierte Kriegschronik 1870 - 1871, Illustrated War Chronicle 1870 - 1871, German-French Campaign

Engraving depicting divers searching for pearls. The deepest a diver could venture without a suit was 12 fathoms (65.8m), although a more normal depth was 8 to 10 fathoms. Dated 19th century

FIRING THE TRAIN BY THE GALVANIC BATTERY

Siege operations at Chatham: explosion of a mine, 1871. British Army exercises. 'The siege operations performed...in the neighbourhood of Chatham, at the Commander-in-Chief's annual inspection of field-works constructed by the School of Military Engineering, afforded several thousand spectators a rare entertainment, and gave a fair notion of some parts of the actual business of war...The explosion of a mine with 1000 lb. of gunpowder is shown in the Illustration on our front page. The intention and effect of this mine, prepared by the besieging force, was to make a hole in the ground 50 ft. wi

Stampede of slaves from Hampton to Fortress Monroe. Title from item, Illus. in: Harper's weekly, v. 5, no. 242 (1861 August 17), p. 524, Exhibited: "The Civil War in America" at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C, 2013. Slavery, Virginia, Hampton, 1860-1870, Night, 1860-1870, Moonlight, Virginia, Hampton, 1860-1870, Fort Monroe (Va.), 1860-1870, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, African Americans, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Refugees.

Virginia was the Confederate capital of the Southern States of America. Date: 1861

George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876). United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. Custer in the Battle of the Little Bighorn where he died. Engraving.

Indian Camp taken by Colonel Sibley during the DAkota War of 1862

Bivouac of the volunteers at the close of the review.

Sardinian troops prepare for battle in the neighbourhood of Alessandria, by cutting down trees. Date: May 1859

LOS MARISCALES MONCEY, OUDINOT Y VICTOR TOMAN TROCADERO TRAS TRES SEMANAS DE BOMBARDEOS,CADIZ ES FORZADA A CAPITULAR EL 23 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1823. FIELDMARSHAL MONCEY. MARISCAL DE FRANCIA. MARISCAL OUDINOT. OUDINOT NICOLAS CHARLES. MARISCAL VICTOR. PREEIN CLAUDE-VICTOR. MONCEY BON-ADRIEN JANNOT.

Historic drawing, Charles II, 1630 - 1685, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, fleeing after the Battle of Worcester on 3rd September 1651 in Worcester, England, the last battle of the English Civil War

The Arrival of General Charles Gordon at Khartoum, Egypt, 12th February 1884

On the artillery cupboard, night shooting with 15 cm cannons, twenty-four pounds, from a siege battery, maneuver around 1898, Germany, historically, digitally restored reproduction of a template from the 19th century, Record Date not Stated 1f-4898400

1770s BATTLE GROUND AT STILLWATER 1777 SARATOGA NEW YORK

The fieldpost is attacked by Franctireurs, German-French War 1870/1871, woodcut, France, Europe

Guiseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) Italian patriot. Garibaldi spearing fish at night off Caprera 1860-1861. In 1860, at the head of his l,000 Red Shirts, he conquered Sicily and Naples. Wood engraving.

The war in Virginia--Capture of three Rebel guns, near Culpeper, by General Custen's cavalry brigade, Sept. 14 / from a sketch by our special artist, Mr. Edwin Forbes.. Illus. in: Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, v. 17, no. 418 (1863 Oct. 3), p 25. Cavalry, Union, Virginia, Culpeper, 1860-1870, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Campaigns & battles.

Guerra Franco-Prusiana (1870-1871). Regreso de un reconocimiento. Grabado. Original por Edouard Detaille (1848-1912). En Campagne, por Jules Richard. Obra editada en París en 1885. Biblioteca Histórico Militar de Barcelona. Cataluña. España.

WITH THE ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS IN UPPER BURMA: THE EXECUTION OF A DACOIT AT SHWAY-BO, 1886

Soldiers cutting up and carrying horse flesh. American soldiers having recourse to using horse meat from horses killed in battle. Date: 1878

The war in Virginia--Capture of three Rebel guns, near Culpeper, by General Custen's cavalry brigade, Sept. 14 / from a sketch by our special artist, Mr. Edwin Forbes. | Library of Congress

An engraving depicting a cricket match with an umpire standing behind the stumps. Dated 19th century

At the Tigris near Baghdad, Iraq, around 1860 / Am Tigris bei Bagdad, Irak, um 1860, Historisch, historical, digital improved reproduction of an original from the 19th century / digitale Reproduktion einer Originalvorlage aus dem 19. Jahrhundert,.

Burial of Chenowagesic, Native American Guide to the Mississippi River Expedition

Tuscarora Indians tracking fugitives, late 17th-early 18th century (c1880). Artist: Unknown

First Battle of Bull Run, (First Manassas), July 21, 1861. Soldier carrying Union wounded to field hospitals after the Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. Post-battle aid was hampered by continued attacks, which eventually required medical staff to leave the field (BSLOC_2018_6_139)

A colossal bronze statue of Hercules found beneath the Campo dei Fiori in Rome is raised by a complex dual block-and-tackle system. Date: 1864

Artwork: "Mixing Concrete - U.S. Air Base in England 1943" Artist: John Scott. Country: Unknown

Bernd Heinrich Wilhelm von Kleist, 18 October 1777, 21 November 1811, was a German poet, playwright, novelist, short story writer and journalist, digi...

The First Anglo-Chinese War (1839-42), known popularly as the First Opium War or simply the Opium War, was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice. Chinese officials wished to stop what was perceived as an outflow of silver and to control the spread of opium, and confiscated supplies of opium from British traders. The British government, although not officially denying China's right to control imports, objected to this seizure and used its newly developed military power to enforce violent redress. In 1842, the Treaty of Nanking-the first of what the Chinese later called the unequal treaties-granted an indemnity to Britain, the opening of five treaty ports, and the cession of Hong Kong Island, thereby ending the trade monopoly of the Canton System. The failure of the treaty to satisfy British goals of improved trade and diplomatic relations led to the Second Opium

'Visions de guerre sur le front russe; …nous depassons des files de chars de paysan, charges de caisses de cartouches.', 1915. From "Collection de la Guerre IV. L'Illustration Tome CXLVII. La Guerre Juillet, Aout, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Decembre 1916".

Bivouac at Temple Boulevard (TI)

TRAVELLING IN INDIA, JOINING THE INDIAN ARMY ON SERVICE

The Last Days of Harvest, 1873. Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910). Wood engraving; sheet: 28.1 x 39.7 cm (11 1/16 x 15 5/8 in.); image: 23.3 x 33.7 cm (9 3/16 x 13 1/4 in.).

Scene of the general market in Cape Coast Castle, seat of British colonialism in West Africa, during the 2nd Ashanti War (1873-74). Date: 24 January 1874

On board a troop ship bound for the East, a log line is used to measure the speed of the ship in knots, an operation known as reading or heaving the log. Date: 1873

Lining up - An American Football Game, circa 1887

The Battle of Eupatoria during the Crimean War, 1855 (1857).Artist: W Hulland

The Dutch troops defend themselves in the park, Fighting in Brussels 1830, Belgium, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, Europe

Engraving depicting an Indian Army officer travelling by a palanquin on wheels. About 20 men would pull the carriage along and could travel up to 100 miles a day. Dated 19th century

The Autumn Campaign: head-quarters camp of Southern Army, France Farm, Blandford, 1872. 'The Southern Army, part of which had been collected at Portsmouth, was assembled in full force at Blandford, under Sir John Michel, so early as Saturday week. The Northern Army did not move westward from Aldershott till last Monday...but the whole force was to be encamped at Pewsey by the end of this week. After resting on Sunday and Monday, the troops on both sides will begin next Tuesday the more active movements leading to a close encounter...Hitherto the operations of Sir John Michel's army at Blandfor

Burnside's Division Carrying the Bridge over the Antietam Creek, and Storming the Rebel Position, after a Desperate Conflict of Four Hours, Battle of Antietam, Maryland, USA, Wednesday, September 17, 1862, from a sketch by our special artist, Mr. Edwin Forbes, Wood Engraving, Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, October 11, 1862

LAST OF THE PARIS COMMUNE: BURYING INSURGENTS IN A PARIS SQUARE.(TI)

Fighting in the woods Kearneys division repulsing the enemy Monday June 30th 1862. Morgan collection of Civil War drawings. Kearny, Philip, 1815-1862, Military service, Soldiers, Union, 1860-1870, Military officers, Union, 1860-1870, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Campaigns & battles, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Casualties, United States, Virginia, White Oak Swamp , United States, Virginia, Glendale , III Corps, 3rd Division.

Army of the Potomac - Scene at the Warren Station - Our Soldiers receive the Poeple's Gift - Distribution of Thanksgiving Viands to troops of the 5th and 9th Corps - Commisary Suter weighing out the stores, 1864

Beim Volkstrachtenfest in München, der Bandeltanz, Bandltanz um den Maibaum, Bayern, Deutschland, digital restaurierte Reproduktion einer Originalvorl...

James Cook (1728-1779) English navigator, hydrographer and explorer stabbed to death by Hawaiian natives while investigating the theft of a boat, 14 February 1779. Engraving from 'Captain Cook's Original Voyages Round the World' (Woodbridge, c1815).

Forest Fire, Fire of a Fir Forest near St. Petersburg, 1869, Russia, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century painting, exact original date not known, Europe

A hot time in the old town - The Band of the Battleship Oregon, on the forward 13 inch gun turret, celebrating the surrender of the Cristobal Colon immediately after the victory, July 3, 1898 - Spanish American War

Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905: Japanese field battery in action during the attack on Port Arthur, August 1904

During Ross's voyage to find Franklin, they have to cut out the ice to allow the 'Enterprise' and the 'Investigator' pass. Date: 1848 - 49

In the North Carolina sounds, Confederate ram 'Albemarle' rules the waves : she survives ramming by the 'Sassacus' but will be sunk by a torpedo attack later in the year. Date: 5 May 1864

Hoisting the French flag in the New Hebrides, 1886. Black and White Illustration

The Escape of the Dunstan family c.1697 From a 19th century print engraved by J C Armytage E H Corbould

The Spanish and French besiege Gibraltar 1779 to 1783 : the biggest attack involves 48 vessels and 100,000 men, but is repulsed by the garrison under general Eliott. Date: 13 September 1782

Historical scene, US-American history, 19th century, Colonel Bailey's dam on the Red river and armored gunboats, 1864, American Civil War

Night camp at the confluence of the Sangir river, Sumatra Island. Indonesia. Drawing by Alexandre de Bar (1821 - 1908) Across the island of Sumatra 1877 by Daniel David Veth (1850 - 1885) Le Tour du Monde 1880

Spaniards attack natives with dogs despite the attempts of the Missionaries to save them Date: 1527

The sixth regiment of the Massachusetts volunteers firing into the people in Pratt Street, while attempting to pass through Baltimore en route for Washington, April 19, 1861. Title from item, Illus. in: Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, v. 11, no. 284 (1861 April 30), p. 376-77. United States, Army, Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1864), People, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Military personnel, Union, Military personnel, Union, Maryland, Baltimore, 1860-1870, Shooting, Maryland, Baltimore, 1860-1870, Crowds, Maryland, Baltimore, 1860-1870.

USA. A little trading post on the Ninnescah river. Engraving by Frenzeny and Jules Tavernier.

Indian attack on Brookfield, Massachusetts, 1675

German Peasants' War, 1524-1526, Execution of Jakob Wehe. Hans Jakob Wehe (died 5 April 1525) was a preacher and peasant leader, Germany, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact original date unknown, Europe

THE WAR IN EGYPT

Battle of Antietam, Maryland--Burnside's division carrying the bridge over the Antietam Creek, and storming the Rebel position, after a desperate conflict of four hours, Wednesday, September 17 / from a sketch by our special artist, Mr. Edwin Forbes.. Illus. in: Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, v. 15, no. 367 (1862 Oct. 11), p. 33. Antietam, Battle of, Md, 1862, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Military personnel, Union, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Campaigns & battles.

RAILWAY STRIKE AT CHICAGO Military called in to suppress the rioting at 40th and Loomis Streets

SALMON SPEARING BY NIGHT, From a painting by Tidemand. Adolph Tidemand (1814_1876) was a noted Norwegian romantic nationalism painter.

Franco-U.S. Historical Documents. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

David Livingstone discovering Lake Ngami, Botswana, 1 August 1849 (1857). Artist: Unknown

The late 1800s caption reads: "Boat of the Deerhound" resctuing Captain Semmes." Raphael Semmes was an officer in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He was previously a serving officer in the US Navy from 1826 to 1860. During the American Civil War, Semmes was captain of the cruiser CSS Alabama, the most successful commerce raider in maritime history, taking 65 prizes. From August 1862 until June 1864, Semmes took his ship through the Atlantic, into the Gulf of Mexico, around the Cape of Good Hope and into the East Indies, capturing some sixty merchantmen and sinking one Feder

The British faf flies proudly over Prince of Wales Fort. Date: 1797

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA

The coroner's jury visiting the wreck of the Princess Alice after the great disaster on the Thames. The Princess Alice paddle steamer worked on the Thames as a pleasure steamer, transporting day trippers from London Bridge. On the 3rd September 1878 whilst the Prince Alice was making its final journey of the day it collided with a coal ship, The Bywell Castle. The collision occurred when the two pilots both assumed that the other ship would give way. Over 600 lives were lost with only 69 people

THE WAR IN THE EAST, WITH THE RUSSIANS ON THE DANUBE

Murder of a Negro at Mrs. Carter's house, Pattenburg, NJ, circa 1872

These illustrations show measures taken to combat the potato disease in Ireland. They include boiling and packing partially diseased tubers, burning stalks, Poor Law Inspectors investigating potato blight and ploughing out potatoes. The potato famine disaster in the mid-19th century caused terrible famine and misery. Date: 25 October 1890

Hut American pioneers, vintage engraving. Hut American pioneers, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1844. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10660669

Crossing the North Edisto. Morgan collection of Civil War drawings, Exhibited in: "The American Civil War Field Notes : Sketches from Cairo to Richmond" at the O'Kane Gallery, University of Houston, Texas, 2008-2009, Not on shelf, 2009. United States, Army, Ohio Infantry Regiment, 68th (1861-1865) , Orangeburg, Battle of, Orangeburg, S.C, 1865, Welles, George E, Military service, Jones, Theodore, Military service, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Campaigns & battles, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Destruction & pillage, Troop movements, 1860-1870, Soldiers, Union, 1860-1870, Military officers, Union, 1860-1870, Bridges, 1860-1870, United States, South Carolina, North Edisto River , United States, South Carolina, Orangeburg , XV Corps, 1st Division, 1st Brigade.

Guerra Ruso-Japonesa (1904-1905). Desembarco de tropas japonesas en el puerto de Chemulpo, en Corea, en febrero de 1904. Cromo de Chocolates Amatller. Año 1905. Author: Apel·les Mestres Oñós.

Jean-François de Galoup, Comte de La Pérouse (August 23, 1741-1788) was a French explorer and naval officer. In 1785, the King of France commissioned La Perouse to head an expedition to explore the Pacific Ocean, to investigate whaling and fur prospects, and to establish French claims in this area. La Pérouse had admired the explorer James Cook, and wanted to continue his work. La Perouse was assigned two 500-ton ships called the Astrolabe and the Boussole. His crew of 114 included sailors, scientists, a physicist, three draftsmen, three naturalists, clergymen, and a mathematician. They left France in August, 1785. La Perouse mapped the west coast of North America in 1786, and visited Easter Island and Hawaii. His ships reached the west coast of Alaska in 1786 and did extensive mapping of the North American west coast from Alaska to Monterey, California. Next La Pérouse landed at Botany Bay (Port Jackson), Australia, before heading for the Solomon Islands. La Pérouse took the opportuni

The Norwegian expedition in Greenland, passage through the pack ice, 1888, engraving.

You are home. Am heimweg

Building corderoy sic roads from Belle Plain to Frederickburgh sic (H.Q.). Title inscribed below image, Source unknown, Reference print available in the Civil War Drawings file H. United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Transportation, Union, Corduroy roads, 1860-1870, Soldiers, Union, 1860-1870, Road construction, 1860-1870, United States, Virginia

Engineering officers drawing the plan of a new fort in front of Paris. (...) (IT)

'Russia's Treatment of her Prisoners; Notes at Kharsakov, Saghalien, Eastern Siberia; Principal Street, Kharsakov', 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 41. January to June, 1890.

Employment of the hot air balloon l'Entreprenant as a reconnaissance post at the Battle of Fleurus June 26 1794 From the book Wondeful Balloon Ascents or The Conquest of the Skies published c 1870

Egypt, Alexandria. On June 11, 1882, a xenophobic movement breaks out in the city and extends to other cities, causing the murder of 200 foreigners. The conflict arose from the entry of English and French ships into the port of Alexandria. The British squad opened fire on the city on July 11 and occupied it. European families leaving Alexandria as the bombardment was imminent. Engraving by Rico. La Ilustración Española y Americana, 1882. Author: Bernardo Rico (1825-1894). Spanish engraver.

19th century illustration showing the death of Captain James Cook (1728 14 February 1779). Cook was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the Royal Navy. Cook made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, during which he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand.

The Dutch Trading with the Indians in New York, circa 1650

'Memorial stone on the spot where Prince Louis Napoleon was killed', c1880. Artist: Unknown.

Road building by the German army in Russiat by Klaus Muller Rabe 1910-1991 Published in 'Die Kunst im deutschen Reich' (Art in the German Reich) was first published in January 1937 by Gauleiter Adolf Wagnerand later issued under the direction Adolf Hitler himself.

Historical scene, US-American history, 19th century, men destroying railroad tracks during the American Civil War, around 1864

Egyptian conflict with the British, 1882. Egypt. Alexandria. Egyptian battery of Krupp cannons at Mecks Fort. Engraving by Rico. Detail. La Ilustración Española y Americana, 1882.

The battery of Perouse at Belfort after the peace announcement, German-French War 1870/71 / Die Batterie von Perouse bei Belfort nach der Friedenserklärung, Deutsch-Französischer Krieg 1870/71, historisch, C:CC5historical, digital improved reproduction of an original from the 19th century / digitale Reproduktion einer Originalvorlage aus dem 19. Jahrhundert, Originaldatum nicht bekannt.

Petroleumquellen in Oelheim, Ölheim, Ölförderung, Bohrmaschine zur Ölsuche, um 1882, Landkreis Peine, Niedersachsen, Deutschland, Illustration, Historisch, Reproduktion von einer Vorlage aus dem 19. Jahrhundert. Authentisch, Datei restauriert für optimale Verwendung, genaues Datum der Vorlage unbekannt 1f-4999909

George Armstrong Custer wading the Chickahominy River during the American Civil War

8th N.J.V. Camp near Matawoman sic Creek on the Potomac Charles Co. Md. = Gen Hooker's division. Title inscribed lower left, Date inscribed lower right, Published in: New York Illustrated News, 5 April 1862, p. 341, Source unknown, Reference print available in the Civil War Drawings file D. United States, Army, New Jersey Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) , Hooker, Joseph, 1814-1879, Military service, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Military life, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Military facilities, United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865, Equipment & supplies, Soldiers, Union, 1860-1870, Woodcutting, 1860-1870, United States, Maryland, Charles County

Destruction of Chicago by Fire, October, 1871