Death Tolls for Battles of the 16th, 17th, 18th & 19th Centuries (1500-1900)

Alphabetical

Land Battles

1. Marignan (13-14 Sept. 1515): 30 000
   • 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica: "Only 3000 Swiss escaped out of some 25,000 who fought. On the French side probably 8000 were killed or died of wounds."
2. Konotop (Russo-Polish War: 1659): 30 000+
   • Dupuy: 30,000 Russians k.
3. Leipzig (Napoleonic Wars: 16-19 Oct. 1813): 22 500
   • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
     • France: 38,000 k/w
     • Russia/Prussia/Austria: 52,000 k/w
     • [TOTAL: 90,000 k/w. Divided by 4 for KIA only.]
4. Szalánkemen, Hungary (19 Aug. 1691): 20 000+
   • Dupuy: 20,000 Turks k.
5. Sis (1606): 20 000+
   • Dupuy: 20,000 Turks k. (vs. Persians)
6. Borodino (Napoleonic Wars: 7 Sept. 1812): 18 500
   • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
     • France: 30,000 k/w
     • Russia: 44,000 k/w
     • [TOTAL: 74,000 k/w. Divided by 4 for KIA only.]
7. Waterloo (Napoleonic Wars: 18 June 1815): 15 750
   • Napoleon-Series.Org: "losses"
     • French: 41,000
     • Britain/Holland/Germany/Prussia: 22,000
     • [TOTAL: 63,000 k/w/etc. Divided by ca. 4 for KIA only.]
   • Durschmied, The Hinge Factor (1999) "lay dead on the ground"
     • French: 25,000
     • Britain: 15,000
     • Prussia: 7,000
     • [TOTAL: 47,000. My suspicion is that these are actually casualties, not deaths.]
   • Clodfelter
     • British: 1,328 k
     • Blücher: 1,144 k
8. Klushino (Russo-Polish War: Sept. 1610): 15 000+
   • Dupuy: 15,000 Russians k.
9. Senef (Franco-Dutch War: 11 Aug. 1674): 13 000
   • Dupuy
     • Allies: 10,000 k
     • French: 10,000 "casualties" (K/Wd)
10. Wagram (Napoleonic Wars: 5-6 July 1809): 12 800
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • French: 27500 k/w
      • Austrian: 23750 k/w
      • [TOTAL: 51,250 k/w. Divided by ca. 4 for KIA only.]
11. Dresden (Napoleonic Wars: 26-27 Aug. 1814): 12 000
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • France: 10,000 k/w
      • Russia/Prussia/Austria: 38,000 k/w
      • [TOTAL: 48,000 k/w. Divided by 4 for KIA only.]
12. Aspern-Essling (Napoleonic Wars: 21-22 May 1809): 11 286
    • NapoleonSeries.Org
      • French: 7,000 k
      • Austrian: 4,286 k
13. Berezina (Napoleonic Wars: 26-28 Nov. 1812): 11 250
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • France: 25,000 combatants k/w
      • Russia: 20,000 k/w
      • [TOTAL: 45,000 k/w. Divided by 4 for KIA only.]
14. Poltava (Great Northern War: 28 June [new style: 8 July] 1709): 10 645
    • Wikipedia
      • Sweden: 9,300 dead
      • Russia: 1,345
15. Sobraon (1st Sikh War: 10 Feb. 1846): 10 000
    • Farwell, Queen Victoria's Little Wars: as many as 10,000 Sikhs k.
16. Flodden Field (9 September 1513): 10 000
    • Wikipedia: 10,000 Scots killed
17. Bautzen and Wurschen (Napoleonic Wars: 20-21 May 1813): 10 000
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • France: 20,000 k/w
      • Russia/Prussia: 20,000 k/w
      • [TOTAL: 40,000 k/w. Divided by ca. 4 for KIA only.]
18. Omdurman (Mahdist War: 2 Sept. 1898): 10 000
    • Perrett, The Battle Book
      • British: 43 k.
      • Mahdist: 9,700 k
    • Dupuy
      • British: 500 casu.
      • Mahdist: 10,000 k
    • Trager, People's Chronology: 11,000 Dervishes k
19. Lützen (Napoleonic Wars: 2 May 1813): 9 500
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • French: 20,000
      • Russia/Prussia: 18,000
      • [TOTAL: 38,000 k/w/etc. Divided by ca. 4 for KIA only.]
20. Ligny (Napoleonic Wars: 16 June 1815): 9 125
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • French: 11500
      • Prussian: 25000
      • [TOTAL: 36,500 k/w/etc. Divided by ca. 4 for KIA only.]
21. Kircholm (1604): 9 000+
    • Dupuy: 9,000 Swedes k.
22. Austerlitz (Napoleonic Wars: 2 Dec. 1805): 8 644
    • NapoleonSeries.Org
      • French, citing...
        • Esposito & Elting: 2,000
        • Chandler: 1,300
        • Bowden: 1,288
      • Austria/Russia: 7,000 k
      • [TOTAL: 8,288-9,000]
23. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (American Civil War: 1-3 July 1863): 7 058
    • Livermore
      • US: 3155
      • CS: 3903
      • [TOTAL: 7,058]
24. Antietam, Pennsylvania (American Civil War: 1-3 July 1863): 6 300
    • Livermore: 2,108 US + 2,700 CS [= 4,808]
    • NPS
      • KIA: 2100 USA + 1550 CSA = 3,650 killed in action on both sides.
      • Perhaps 4,000 died of wounds later [1,910 USA + 1550 CSA], or were dead but counted as missing [225 USA + 306 CSA], giving perhaps 7,650 who died as a result of the battle.
    • McClellan's after action report
      • USA: 2,010 KIA
      • CSA: ca. 3,000 bodies buried by Union after battle + ca. 500 bodies buried by CSA before retreat.
      • [TOTAL: 5,510]
    • Houston Chronicle, 10 Sept. 2002 review of James McPherson's Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam.
      • USA: 2,300
      • CSA: 2,000
      • Later died of wounds: 2,000
      • TOTAL: 6,300-6,500 k. or mort.w.
25. Sedan (Franco-Prussian War: 1 Sept. 1870): 6 300
    • Perrett, The Battle Book
      • German: 2,320 k.
      • French: 17,000 K+Wd [1/4 killed?]
26. Seven Days (American Civil War: 25 June-1 July 1862): 5 212
    • Livermore
      • US: 1,734
      • CS: 3,478
      • [TOTAL: 5,212]
27. Blenheim (13 August 1704): 4 500+
    • 1911 Ency. Britannica
      • Allies: 4,500 k. incl. 670 British
28. Eckmühl (Napoleonic Wars: 20-22 March 1809): 4 500
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • French: 6,000
      • Austrian: 12,000
      • [TOTAL: 18,000 k/w/etc. Divided by ca. 4 for KIA only.]
29. Inkerman (Crimean War: 5 Nov. 1854): 4 400+
    • Perrett, The Battle Book: 4,400 Russians k.
30. Isandlwana (Zulu War: 22 Jan. 1879): 4 329
    • Perrett, The Battle Book
      • British: 1,329
      • Zulu: 2,000-3,000
    • Hanson, Carnage and Culture
      • Zulu: 2,000 killed outright + 2,000 mortally wounded or disabled
    • Farwell, Queen Victoria's Little Wars: 55 out of 950 Europeans and ca. 300 out of 850 Natal Kaffirs escaped. [895 British + 550 Native aux. = ca. 1,445 k.]
    • Wikipedia
      • British: 52 officers + 1,277 men k [= 1,329]
      • Zulu: 3,000
31. Spottsylvania C.H., Virginia (American Civil War: 8-12 May 1864): 4 192
    • Bonekemper
      • US: 2,725
      • CS: 1,467
      • [TOTAL: 4,192]
32. Leuthen (Seven Years War: 5 December 1757): 4 175
    • Wikipedia
      • Prussian: 1,175 k
      • Austrian: 3,000 d
33. Neerwinden (or Landen) (18 March 1793) 4 000
    • 1911 Ency. Britannica: 12,000 Allies + 8,000 French killed, wounded and prisoners
34. Chickamauga, Georgia (American Civil War: 19-20 Sept. 1863): 3 969
    • Livermore
      • US: 1657
      • CS: 2312
      • [TOTAL: 3,969]
35. Wilderness, Virginia (American Civil War: 5-7 May 1864): 3 741
    • Bonekemper
      • US: 2,246
      • CS: 1,495
      • [TOTAL: 3,741]
36. Shiloh (American Civil War: 6-7 April 1862): 3 477
    • Livermore
      • US: 1,754
      • CS: 1,723
      • [TOTAL: 3,477]
37. Chancellorsville, Virginia (American Civil War: 1-4 May 1863): 3 240
    • Livermore
      • US: 1575
      • CS: 1665
      • [TOTAL: 3,240]
38. 2nd Manassas, Virginia (American Civil War: 27 Aug-2 Sept 1862): 3 205
    • Livermore (and B. of Chantilly)
      • US: 1,724
      • CS: 1,481
      • [TOTAL: 3,205]
39. Molino del Rey (Mexican War: 8 Sept. 1847): 3 201
    • DMWV
      • US: 201
      • Mexico: 3,000
    • Encarta: "The U.S. losses at Molino del Rey, Casa Mata, and Chapultepec included 130 killed ... it is estimated that nearly 3000 [Mexicans] died in the Mexico City battles."
40. Sinsheim (16 June 1674): 3 200
    • Dupuy
      • French: 1,200 k
      • Imperialists: 2,000 k
41. Murfreesboro, Tennessee (American Civil War: 31 Dec. 1862-1 Jan. 1863): 2 971
    • Livermore (also 1911 Ency. Britannica)
      • CS: 1294
      • US: 1677
      • [TOTAL: 2,971]
42. Lâon (Napoleonic Wars: 9-10 March 1814): 2 500
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • France: 6,000 k/w
      • Allies: 4,000 k/w
      • [TOTAL: 10,000 k/w. Divided by 4 for KIA only.]
43. Tamai (13 March 1884): 2 200+
    • Perrett, The Battle Book: 2,200 Mahdist k.
44. Tell el-Kebir (Arabi Rebellion: 13 Sept. 1882): 2 058
    • Dupuy
      • British: 58 k
      • Egyptians: 2,000 k
45. Quatre Bras (Napoleonic Wars: 16 June 1815): 2 200
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • French: 4,000
      • Britain/Holland/Germany: 4,800
      • [TOTAL: 8,800 k/w/etc. Divided by ca. 4 for KIA only.]
46. Franklin, Tennessee (American Civil War: 30 Nov. 1864): 1 939
    • Livermore
      • US: 189
      • CS: 1,750
      • [TOTAL: 1,939]
47. Cold Harbor, Virginia (American Civil War: 31 May-12 June 1864): 1 927
    • Bonekemper
      • US: 1,844
      • CS: 83
      • [TOTAL: 1,927]
48. Fredericksburg, Virginia (American Civil War: 13 Dec. 1862): 1 879
    • Livermore
      • US: 1284
      • CS: 595
      • [TOTAL: 1,879]
49. Arcis-Sur-Aube (Napoleonic Wars: 20-21 March 1814): 1 750
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • French: 3,000 k/w
      • Allies: 4,000 k/w
      • [TOTAL: 7,000 k/w. Divided by 4 for KIA only.]
50. Talavera (Napoleonic Wars: 27-28 July 1809): 1 552+
    • Perrett, The Battle Book
      • British: 801
      • French: 751
      • Spanish: few
    • Wikipedia
      • British: 52 officers + 1,277 men k [= 1,329]
      • Zulu: 3,000
51. Ulundi (Zulu War: 4 July 1879): 1 500+
    • Dupuy
      • British: 100 "casu"
      • Zulu: 1,500 k.
52. Viasma (Napoleonic Wars: 3 Nov. 1812): 1 500+
    • NapoleonSeries.Org
      • France: 6,000 k/w
53. Perryville, Kentucky (American Civil War: 8 Oct. 1862): 1 355
    • Livermore
      • US: 845
      • CS: 510
      • [TOTAL: 1,355]
54. Wavre (Napoleonic Wars: 18 June 1815): 1 250
    • NapoleonSeries.Org: "losses"
      • France: 2,500 k/w
      • Prussia: 2,500 k/w
      • [TOTAL: 5,000 k/w. Divided by ca. 4 for KIA only.]
55. Chattanooga, Tennessee (American Civil War: 23-25 Nov. 1863): 1 114
    • Livermore
      • US: 753
      • CS: 361
      • [TOTAL: 1,114]
56. La Placilla (Chilean civil war: 28 August 1891): 941+
    • 1911 Ency. Britannica: Government lost 941 killed
57. 1st Bull Run (American Civil War: 21 July 1861): 868
    • Livermore
      • US: 481
      • CS: 387
      • [TOTAL: 868]
58. Corinth, Mississippi (American Civil War: 3-4 Oct. 1863): 828
    • Livermore
      • US: 355
      • CS: 473
      • [TOTAL: 828]
59. Monterrey (Mexican War: 19-25 Sept. 1846): 820
    • DMWV
      • US: 120
      • Mexico: 700
60. Horseshoe Bend (27 March 1814): 800+
    • Encyclopedia of North American Indians: 800 Red Stick warriors were k
61. Champion Hill, Mississippi (American Civil War: 16 May 1863): 791
    • Livermore
      • US: 410
      • CS: 381
      • [TOTAL: 791]
62. Drewry's Bluff, Virginia (American Civil War: 12-16 May 1864): 745
    • Livermore
      • US: 390
      • CS: 355
      • [TOTAL: 745]
63. Ft. Stedman, Virginia (American Civil War: 25 March 1864): 672
    • Bonekemper
      • US: 72
      • CS: 600
64. Monongahela (French and Indian War: 9 July 1755): 495
    • Wikipedia
      • British: 456 k
      • French and Canadians: 28 k
      • Indians: 11 k
65. Wilson's Creek, Missouri (American Civil War: 10 August 1861): 480
    • Livermore
      • US: 223
      • CS: 257
      • [TOTAL: 480]
66. Camden (American Revolution: 16 Aug. 1780): 400 +
    • Theamericanrevolution.Org: 400 Americans k
    • Dupuy: 900 Americans k
67. Alamo, Texas (23 February 1836): 383
    • Wikipedia
      • Mexicans 200 killed
      • Texian and Tejano: 183
68. Bunker Hill, Massachusetts (American Revolution: 17 June 1775): 366
    • Theamericanrevolution.Org: 140 Americans k
    • Wikipedia
      • British: 226 d
      • American: 140 k
69. Prairie Grove, Ark. (American Civil War: 7 Dec. 1862): 339
    • Livermore
      • US: 175
      • CS: 164
      • [TOTAL: 339]
70. Cedar Mountain, Virginia (American Civil War: 9 Aug. 1862): 314+
    • Livermore
      • US: 314
71. Long Island (American Revolution: 27 Aug. 1776): 300+
    • Theamericanrevolution.Org: 300 Americans k
72. Little Bighorn (25-26 June 1876): 296
    • Encyclopedia of North American Indians
      • US: Custer's force of 215 k
      • Indians: 32
    • Wikipedia: 264 US Cavalrymen killed = 201 with Custer + 63 with Reno
73. Richmond, Kentucky (American Civil War: 29-30 Aug. 1862): 284
    • Livermore
      • US: 206
      • CS: 78
      • [TOTAL: 284]
74. Rorke's Drift (Zulu War: 22-23 Jan. 1879): 267
    • Dupuy
      • British: 17 k
      • Zulu: 250 d
75. Germantown (American Revolution: 4 Oct. 1777): 152+
    • Theamericanrevolution.Org: 152 Americans k
76. Monmouth (American Revolution: 28 June 1778): 152+
    • Theamericanrevolution.Org: 152 Americans k

Sea Battles

1. Lepanto (7 Oct. 1571): 38 000
   • VD Hanson: Carnage and Culture (2001)
     • Ottomans: 30,000
     • Christians: 8,000-10,000
     • TOTAL: 40,000
   • Dupuy
     • Turkish: 15,000-20,000 Turkish sailors & soldiers k. or drowned. >10,000 Christian rower slaves drowned.
     • Christians: 7,566 d.
     • [TOTAL: 32,566-37,566]
2. Trafalgar (Napoleonic War: 21 Oct. 1805): 14 000 +
   • VD Hanson: Carnage and Culture (2001): 14,000 Spanish + French k.
   • Keegan, The Price of Admiralty
     • UK: 449 k.
     • Fr. + Spanish: 4,408
     • [TOTAL: 4,857]
3. Four Days' Battle (Second Anglo-Dutch War 11-14 June 1666): 7 250
   • Ships of the World: An Historical Encyclopedia
     • English: 5,000 crew k, double those of the Dutch
4. Lowestoft (Second Anglo-Dutch War: 13 June 1665): 4 250
   • Ships of the World: An Historical Encyclopedia
     • English: 250 d
     • Dutch: 4,000 d

Earlier Battles

1. Towton (28 March 1461): 33 000
   • 1911 Ency. Britannica: "25000 Lancastrian and 8000 Yorkist dead were buried in and about Towton."
2. Bannockburn (24th June 1314): 11 000+
   • 1911 Ency. Britannica: "One earl, forty-two barons and bannerets, two hundred knights, seven hundred esquires and probably 10,000 foot were killed in the battle and the pursuit. [TOTAL English k.: 10,943]

Sources

• Bonekemper, Edward H. III, A Victor, Not a Butcher: Ulysses S. Grant's Overlooked Military Genius (2004)
• Dupuy, R. Ernest and Trevor N. Dupuy, The Encyclopedia of Military History (1970)
• Farwell, Byron, Queen Victoria's Little Wars (1972)
• Livermore, Thomas L. Numbers and Losses in Civil War in America 1861-65 (1901)
• Perrett, Bryan, The Battle Book: Crucial Conflicts in History from 1469 BC to the Present

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Last updated February 2005

Copyright © 2005 Matthew White