First napoleonic war?

[Last Hussar]

Yes, daft question, just thought I'd check. 

Is it the 2nd Coalition that is the first Napoleonic war, or the 3rd?

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

REliable source - Wikapedia says 3rd Coalition. But - all the wars from 1793 tend to be called Napolionic should be refered to as Revolutionary and Napolionic, of course you knew that.

[Last Hussar]

I know the FIRST isn't, he was just an artillery captain at the time. But the 2nd has Marengo in it, which is why I was unsure.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

yes it gets confusing. I think he was a General in command of The Army of Italy, but not emperor. Hench not technically the Napolionic wars as he wasn't yet emperor. Bit Nit picking I agree.

[fsn]

Gentlemen, I am distraught.

I actually agree with Milord Birkenhead. To my mind, the "Napoleonic Wars" can only date from that moment on 2nd December 1804 when Napoleon set the crown on his own head.

Before that they are merely the Revolutionary Wars and of little interest. 

[Ithoriel]

For me:

Napoleonic Wars - Any war involving France during the period Napoleon Bonaparte was alive.

[fsn]

Like the American Revolution?

[Ithoriel]

Like the American Revolution?

You mean the Anglo-French War of 1765 to 1783?

[fsn]

If you like. So George Washington fought in the Napoleonic Wars.

Got it.