Military career of Napoleon Bonaparte
The military career of Napoleon Bonaparte spanned over 20 years. As emperor, he led the French armies in the Napoleonic Wars. Widely regarded as a military genius and one of the finest commanders in history, his wars and campaigns have been studied at military schools worldwide. He fought more than 70 battles, losing only nine, mostly at the end. The great French dominion collapsed rapidly after the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon was defeated in 1814 and exiled to the island of Elba, before returning and was finally defeated in 1815 at Waterloo . He spent his remaining days in British custody on the remote island of St. Helena. History. Early career. Napoleon's early career is well covered. The most thorough coverage of his campaigns is by David G. Chandler. The Naval Losses at the Nile and Trafalgar caused huge problems for Napoleon and crucially undermined his military dominance . 1769 August 15 – Born "Nabulione di Buonaparte" in Ajaccio, Corsica 1778 December 15 – Leaves Corsica for mainland France 1779 January 1 – Enters a religious school at Autun May 15 – Enters cadet school at Brienne-le-Château 1784 October 30 – Enters the "École Militaire" in  Paris 1785 September 1 – Graduates from the "École Militaire" and is commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of Artillery October 30 – Reports to first posting with the "La Fère" Artillery Regiment at Valence-sur-Rhône 1786 September 1 – Goes to Corsica on long furlough until June 1788 1788 June – Rejoins his regiment at Auxonne, attached to the School of Artillery 1789 September 15 – Goes on second leave to Corsica, becomes involved in revolutionary activities and attempts to gain favour with Pasquale Paoli 1791 February 10 – Returns from Corsica to regimental duty at Auxonne April 1 – Promoted to 1st Lieutenant September 1 – Third  furlough to Corsica 1792 February 6 – Promoted to Captain (antedated) April 1 – Elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Battalion, Corsican Volunteers. Is implicated in a riot in Ajaccio May 28 – Returns to Paris, instead of rejoining his regiment September 15 – Escorts his sister, Elisa, back to Corsica 1793 February 22–25 – Commands artillery during an abortive French landing on Maddalena Island, Sardinia March 3 – Breaks with Paoli, blaming the failed landing on him June 13 – Arrives with his family in Toulon, having been banished from Corsica by Paoli August 27 – Toulon handed over to the British by Royalists September 16 – Given  command of the artillery besieging Toulon October 18 – Promoted to Major December 17–19 – Leads the successful recapture of Toulon from the British and Royalists December 22 – Promoted to Brigadier General. Battles. For comprehensive coverage, see Chandler (1973). For an overall view of the military history of the era see Trevor N. Dupuy and R. Ernest Dupuy, "The Encyclopedia of Military History" (2nd ed., 1970) pp. 730–770.