One cannot underestimate the consequence of the Battle of Solferino. It brought about the creation of the Geneva Convention.
The battle was fought in 1859 between the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I and the allied French and Piedmontese forces. This was a confrontation of the second Italian War of Independence.
Much of Northern Italy was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, ruled over by the twenty-nine-year-old Austrian Emperor. This young emperor would rule for almost sixty-eight years and would die in 1916. He would preside over many decades of change in central Europe.
This was a time where the power of the Austro Hungarian Empire would diminish. The Battle of Solferino would see the young emperor clash with France's Napoleon III and Victor Emmanuel II of the Italian-Piedmontese.
The ferocious battle would see diabolical suffering and would result in Emperor Franz Joseph I losing the colossal confrontation. The consequences for the young monarch would be devastating even though he would see a further fifty-seven years of rule.
His 130, 000 troops would clash with 140,000 French and Italian-Piedmontese troops. It was to be the last battle where either side was led by a monarch. Many argue that Franz Joseph was too young and out of his depth to lead such a force. Perhaps the same could be said for the French and Sardinians? Though these respected men were older and perhaps better experienced than the young Austro-Hungarian emperor.
Over 2,300 soldiers of the allied French-Italian forces were killed with a further 12,000+ wounded. Just under 2,800 missing in action. Over 17,000 casualties in all. Even though they were the victors.
For the Austrians, there was a loss of just under 2,400 killed with almost 9,300 missing in action and over 10,600 wounded. This totalled just over 22,300 casualties and losses.
The aftermath and reports of wounded and dying on the battlefield brought about a calamitous outrage. This resulted in the Geneva Convention coming into existence.
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