Battle of Magenta
Magenta, Lombardy, Italy
What happened
French and Sardinian forces under Emperor Napoleon III and General Patrice de MacMahon fought an Austrian army under Ferenc Gyulay. In the Second Italian War of Independence, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia fought to drive Austria out of northern Italy. The French and Sardinians crossed the Ticino River and moved around the Austrian flank. After hard fighting in orchards and villages, the Austrians withdrew in the evening.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It opened the way to Milan and was an important step toward the unification of Italy. MacMahon was made Duke of Magenta.
What came next
Napoleon III and King Victor Emmanuel II entered Milan on 8 June. Three weeks later the allies won again at Solferino.
Did you know?
The bright pinkish-purple colour magenta was named after this battle in 1860.
Timeline
- 1859The Second Italian War of Independence begins.
- 8 June 1859Napoleon III and Victor Emmanuel II enter Milan.