21-22 May 1809: Austria's Archduke Charles defeated Napoleon on the second day of the Battle of Aspern-Essling, marking the first time the French emperor tasted defeat on the battlefield.

It was a costly defeat, costing the Grande Armée nearly 24,000 troops and three guns. More importantly, Marshal Jean Lannes, Napoleon's closest friend and the only subordinate he trusted with independent command, was mortally wounded by a cannonball during his cavalry assault on Aspern. General Louis-Vincent-Joseph Le Blond de Saint-Hilaire lost a leg to a cannonball at Essling and later died.

Austrian losses were nearly as severe: nearly 23,000 men and three guns.

After the battle ended on the second day, Napoleon withdrew back to Lobau Island across a repaired bridge and awaited reinforcements. The Austrians, surprised by their victory, failed to capitalize on the situation. A little over a month later, Napoleon again crossed the Danube and won a costly but decisive victory over the Austrians at Wagram,

For details, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aspern-Essling

ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) Archduke Charles confers with his Austrian staff during the assault on Aspern on 21 May. (2) Austrian and French troops battle in Aspern on 21 May. (3) French fusiliers assault the Austrians in Essling on 22 May. (4) Beleaguered French soldiers exchange fire with the Austrians in Essling. (5) Archduke Charles at the head of his forces in Essling. (6) Confusion reigns in the French ranks during the fighting around Essling on 22 May. (7) Napoleon consoles mortally wounded Marshal Jean Lannes in a field hospital following the battle of Essling. (8) Napoleon and his staff cross the bridge to Lobau Island after the Battle of Aspern-Essling.