Bruce Wilson Jr.
War and Chance Gallery
Put military history in a new light with images from War and Chance.
Before he led the Continental Army, George Washington wore a British uniform. In the French and Indian War, Washington served as a colonel in the British colonial militia. Washington and Lee University/Public Domain
When General Grant accepted General Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Grant reminded his Confederate counterpart that they had met before. But during the Mexican-American War, Grant and Lee had been on the same side. That conflict taught both generals lessons they would carry into the Civil War. Smithsonian American Art Museum/Public Domain
During the Battle of Monterrey, Grant rode through city streets under heavy fire to bring ammunition to his company. That courage caught the eye of Grant's mentor, General Zachary Taylor. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
In 1864, General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate Army. His leadership reflected lessons from his time at West Point and the Mexican-American War. But Lee learned very different lessons than his rival Ulysses Grant. Library of Congress/Public Domain
General Grant learned from his defeats. In fact, more American troops died under Grant at Cold Harbor than during the entire Mexican-American War––by a factor of ten. Library of Congress/Public Domain
The battle lines at Chaeronea in 338 BCE, where an 18-year-old Alexander first saw military combat. Alexander's quick thinking helped win the victory for Macedon. US Military Academy/Public Domain
Alexander and his warhorse Bucephalus in the heat of battle, as depicted on a Roman mosaic. As a general, Alexander never shied away from putting his life on the line during combat––and he never lost a battle. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
After demanding a spot on the Pancho Villa Expedition, George Patton found himself in France, leading the first U.S. tank school. In this 1918 photograph, Patton stands in front of a Renault FT light tank. National Archives and Records Administration/Public Domain
Napoleon fought for Corsica before he fought for the revolution. But it was the siege of Toulon that turned the 24-year-old artillery officer into a general. Palace of Versailles/Public Domain
The Women's March on Versailles was a turning point in the early French Revolution. By taking to the streets, everyday women in Paris ended the monarchy's independence. Gallica Digital Library/Public Domain
Compared to bombing campaigns in World War II, the aerial attacks of World War I seemed small. But they changed the rules of warfare and turned civilians into targets, as the wreckage after a Zeppelin attack on Paris in 1916 shows. Gallica Digital Library/Public Domain
After capturing Paris in 1871, the Prussians held a brief victory parade before deciding not to occupy the capital city. Wikimedia Common/Public Domain
France's capital fell to the English during the Hundred Years' War––a major black mark for the French king and his army. Joan of Arc led the French troops in an attempt to retake Paris from the English in 1429. Bibliothèque nationale de France/Public Domain
Aerial reconnaissance photographs offered a new view of war. In this photograph, taken in Aug. 1917, British and German trenches almost appear like natural features with an empty no man's land between them. Imperial War Museums/Public Domain
Repeating rifles changed war forever. Instead of waiting to reload, infantrymen could fire multiple bullets in a row. Repeaters were so popular that some soldiers paid out of pocket to make sure they went into battle with the latest technology. National Archives/Public Domain
A fresco in a Romanian monastery captured the shocking nature of Constantinople's fall. Cannons ringed the city walls, creating billowing clouds of smoke. Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-2.0
French and English archers line up across from each other in this miniature of the 1415 Battle of Agincourt. The effective range of longbows ranged from 100-200 yards at the most. The English often seized the high ground to extend the range and force the French to charge through a rain of arrows. Bibliothèque nationale de France/Public Domain
Centuries later, artists depicted Charles Martel as the noble hero of the Battle of Tours. The battle determined the future of medieval Europe. Museum of the History of France/Public Domain
Medieval miniatures depicted the Battle of Tours as a joust between knights. But in fact, it was France's infantry that carried the day. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The heavy cavalry of the Germans turned back the Hungarian horse archers at the Battle of Lechfeld in 955. The victory ended the raids that had destabilized Europe for generations. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The Huns were feared warriors and outstanding horsemen who raided Europe in the 4th and 5th centuries. But at the Battle of Chalons, a Roman army in the twilight of the Roman empire would turn back the Huns. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
During the pivotal Battle of Yarmouk, an outnumbered Muslim army defeated the Byzantines. The battle paved the way for a massive Islamic empire. Bibliothèque nationale de France/Public Domain
At the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William and his Norman army had to climb a hill to face down Harold and his English shield line. While Harold held a stronger position, William would ultimately win the Battle of Hastings and cement the position of the Normans in England. Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-3.0
During the Siege of Vienna, 200,000 Ottoman soldiers attacked a city defended by around 11,000 men. And in spite of overwhelming odds, the Ottomans could not take the city. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Carrying steel swords and wearing armor, the Spanish conquistadors were able to massacre the Inca and seize their emperor. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Victory in the Civil War turned Ulysses S. Grant into a national hero. But military service did not fully prepare Grant for the challenges of the presidency. Library of Congress/Public Domain
In his 30s during the war years, James A. Garfield achieved the rank of Major General of the Union Army. Garfield went from the battlefield to Congress at the personal request of President Lincoln. National Archives/Public Domain
In 1865, few would have predicted that young "Coffee Bill" would become president in 1897. William McKinley achieved the rank of captain at 20 years old and cast his first presidential election ballot from the field––he voted for Lincoln's reelection. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
President from 1877-1881, Rutherford B. Hayes volunteered for service when the Civil War broke out and rose to the rank of Major General of the Union Army. This photograph, by the famous Civil War photographer Mathew Brady, was taken during the war years. National Archives/Public Domain
Mongol horsemen crossed Eurasia, building the largest contiguous land empire in history. European knights were unimpressed by Mongol light armor or their stocky horses––but both gave the Mongols a major advantage in maneuverability and range. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Japanese mythology grew up around the typhoon that ended the Mongol invasion. According to the Japanese, the Gods had sent the divine winds to protect Japan. Metropolitan Museum of Art/Public Domain
Mongol and Rus horsemen fell at the Battle of Kulikovo. But it was a crafty backup plan from a Rus prince that carried the day. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
From Hungary to China and from Moscow to Cairo, the enemies of the Mongols agreed that the horde was unstoppable––unless fate shined on your forces. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
During the Warring States period, seven major states fought it out to rule China. Eventually, the Qin emerged victorious––but an unpopular emperor and brutal battle tactics put the Han in charge. Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-3.0
Liu Bang, the Han leader who became the first emperor in the Han Dynasty, marches into the key Guanzhong region in this 12th-century silk handscroll. Museum of Fine Arts Boston/Public Domain
The Battle of Talas in 751 was more than a clash between the Tang Dynasty and the Abbasids. It also brought in Tibetans, Tang allies, and other Central Asian groups to a clash between different civilizations. Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-4.0
British naval ships destroyed Chinese war junks during the First Opium War. After this 1841 battle, the British captured two key Chinese forts. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
At the Battle of Tsushima, Japan decisively defeated the Russian navy. While few remember the battle, it was a key turning point in naval warfare. Not only was Tsushima the first naval battle with steel battleships and the wireless telegraph, it set Russia on the path toward revolution. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The Quasi War put the brand-new U.S. Navy to the test in an undeclared conflict with France. In 1799, the USS Constellation managed to capture a French frigate. U.S. Navy/Public Domain
U.S. troops in the jungles of the Philippines outside Manila during the Philippine-American War. The Americans were able to ship soldiers and weapons to the Philippines, giving them an advantage. Library of Congress/Public Domain
Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery led American forces all the way to Quebec during the American Invasion of Canada. And had history taken a slightly different course, Canada might have become part of the United States. United States Army Center of Military History/Public Domain
Few remember that one of the earliest battles of the War of 1812 took place on Canadian soil––and the Battle of Queenston Heights would not be the last. Without the confusion of an almost forgotten battle, the Americans might have succeeded in conquering Canada. Library & Archives Canada/Public Domain
A map of Maine from the 1820s acknowledged the unknown border by simply drawing the boundaries deep into Canadian territory. The question would later spark the Pork and Beans War. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
British troops occupied San Juan Island for over 12 years after an American killed a Canadian-owned pig. Ultimately, the pig was the only casualty in the Pig War. Canadian Libraries/Public Domain
Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip did not expect to shoot Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914. But when the Archduke made an unexpected trip through Sarajevo that took a wrong turn, Princip pulled his gun and fired two shots with his eyes closed. The two bullets hit Ferdinand and his wife, killing both. And the assassination triggered World War I. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
British redcoats tried to cross Line Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans. But American defenses were too strong––and the battle turned into a rout. What's more, neither side knew that the two countries had recently signed a peace treaty in Europe. New Orleans Museum of Art/Public Domain
A medieval manuscript shows King Henry mourning the White Ship disaster, which claimed the life of his only male heir in 1120. If the ship had avoided the rocks that plunged it into the sea, the Norman kings would have continued their rule of England––and England would have avoided a civil war that lasted 19 years. British Library/Public Domain
Shaka Zulu unified the warring tribes of South Africa and created the Zulu Empire. Ruthless strategy and military discipline put Shaka on top of a new empire. But it did not last long. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
During the guano war between Spain and Peru, the Spanish burned down the port of Valparaiso. Guano was worth a fortune, and countries were willing to go to war over it. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Black soldiers fought for both sides during the Revolutionary War, with the Americans and the British both promising freedom to anyone who would enlist. James Armistead's spying provided critical intel for the Revolutionary War, and yet he had to fight for his own freedom for years after the war. Library of Congress/Public Domain
A group of Buffalo Soldiers from the 25th Infantry, photographed in Montana around 1890. Black soldiers earned a reputation for bravery as they fought in the Indian Wars. Library of Congress/Public Domain
Milunka Savić is still the most decorated woman in military history today. She fought in multiple wars in the early 20th century, sustaining several injuries. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
In the summer of 1919, a wave of racial violence swept the country. Black veterans of World War I who wore their uniforms in public became targets of that violence. US National Archives/Public Domain
Chariot warfare transformed military history. With their sleek, maneuverable chariots, the Egyptians managed to defeat much larger forces. Memorials to Egyptian victories, like the Battle of Kadesh, turned Pharaoh Rameses II into a revered figure. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Depictions of Rameses leading the chariot attack against the Hittites appeared across Egypt to memorialize the pharaoh's battlefield prowess. In spite of the propaganda, Rameses returned to Egypt without achieving his goal of seizing Kadesh. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Hannibal crossed the Alps in 218 BCE with an army of over 30,000 infantry and 15,000 cavalry. But most memorably, he traveled with 37 war elephants. For the next 15 years, Hannibal's army would occupy Southern Italy. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The chaotic Battle of Salamis turned into a rout when the Greeks outmaneuvered a larger Persian force. Thousands of Persians lost their lives in the Straits of Salamis. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Julius Caesar led the Romans to victory in Gaul, massively expanding the empire's borders. But when the Roman Senate turned against him, Caesar chose an extreme option: he led his army across the Rubicon River, which served as a declaration of war. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
At the Battle of Hydaspes, Alexander the Great outflanked his opponents by secretly crossing the Hydaspes River. Alexander's final battle was also one of his strongest tactical victories. U.S. Military Academy/Public Domain
British ships flanked the French flagship as the Battle of Trafalgar descended into close-combat chaos. Nelson's ship found itself directly in the line of fire. Musée national de la Marine/Public Domain
The chaotic Battle of Zama pitted two military geniuses against each other: Hannibal as leader of the Carthaginians and Scipio Africanus as the leader of the Romans. As this 17th-century painting depicts, the clash 20 miles from Carthage turned into a rout. Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The Treasury of the United States issued a check to pay for Alaska. The $7.2 million check went into the hands of Russia's minister to the United States. National Archives/Public Domain
