The Battle of Sedan is fought during the Franco-Prussian War on September 1, 1870.

It results in the capture of Emperor Napoleon III and large numbers of his troops and for all intents and purposes decides the war in favor of Prussia and its allies, though fighting continues under a new French government.The 120,000 strong French Army of Châlons, commanded by Marshal Patrice de Mac-Mahon and accompanied by Napoleon III, is attempting to lift the Siege of Metz, only to be caught by the Prussian Meuse Army and defeated at the Battle of Beaumont.

The Meuse Army and the Prussian Third Army, commanded by Field-Marshal Helmuth von Moltke and accompanied by Prussian King Wilhelm I and Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, corners MacMahon's army at Sedan in a massive encirclement battle.

Marshal MacMahon is wounded during the attacks and command passes to General Auguste-Alexandre Ducrot.