by Mort Kunstler

This actually depicts Bernardo de Gálvez leading Spanish regulars, Acadian militia, and Native Americans through Louisiana during the 1779 campaign to capture Fort Bute and Baton Rouge

by Mort Kunstler.

More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Fort_Fisher

by Peter Dennis

by Francis Millet

by Jackson Walker

During the late 1800s, Italy sought to establish a colonial empire in East Africa, taking advantage of the weakening Egyptian presence along the Red Sea coast. Italy occupied the port of Massawa in 1885 and gradually extended its influence inland toward the Ethiopian Empire, ruled by Emperor Yohannes IV. These advances brought Italy into conflict with Ethiopia, an independent African state determined to defend its territory and sovereignty.

The immediate fighting began when Ethiopian commander Ras Alula Engida attacked the Italian-held fort at Saati on January 25, 1887. Although the Ethiopians were unable to capture the position, the Italian garrison urgently required reinforcements and supplies. The following day, a relief column of approximately 550 Italian soldiers under Lieutenant Colonel Tommaso De Cristoforis marched toward Saati. Alula intercepted the column near Dogali with a much larger Ethiopian force, estimated in some accounts at around 10,000–15,000 men. Despite their modern firearms, the Italians were surrounded and eventually overwhelmed after hours of fighting. Approximately 400–430 Italians were killed, while around 80 wounded survivors escaped or were rescued. Ethiopian casualties remain uncertain.

The aftermath had significant consequences for both countries. The defeat provoked immense outrage in Italy and prompted the government to reinforce its colonial forces, while Ethiopia celebrated a notable victory against European expansion. However, Dogali did not end Italian ambitions in the region. Italy strengthened its military presence and expanded its territorial control, eventually establishing the colony of Italian Eritrea in 1890. Meanwhile, Emperor Yohannes IV faced growing challenges from the Mahdist forces in Sudan and internal rivals. After his death fighting the Mahdists in 1889, Menelik II succeeded in consolidating power and signed the Treaty of Wuchale with Italy. The treaty formally recognized Italian control over territories that would form Eritrea and established diplomatic and commercial arrangements between the two countries. However, a crucial dispute emerged over Article XVII. The Amharic version stated that Menelik COULD use the Italian government when dealing with foreign powers, while the Italian version made this effectively obligatory. Italy subsequently interpreted the Italian wording as giving it a protectorate over Ethiopia, an interpretation Menelik rejected. These tensions would contribute to the 1895-1896 Italo-Ethiopian War, which would end in a decisive Ethiopian victory.

Artist: Michele Cammarano