Battle of Carpi (1815)

The Battle of Carpi was a battle in the Neapolitan War between a brigade of Neapolitan soldiers under the command of Guglielmo Pepe and an Austrian force under the command of Baron Frimont. The battle took place in the town of Carpi and resulted in an Austrian victory, with the Neapolitans being driven from the town.[1]

This article is about the 1815 battle between Austria and Naples. For the 1701 battle between Austria and France, see Battle of Carpi.
Battle of Carpi
Part of the Neapolitan War
Date10 April 1815
Location
Carpi, present-day Italy
44.784361°N 10.879572°E / 44.784361; 10.879572
Result Austrian victory
Belligerents
 Austrian Empire  Kingdom of Naples
Commanders and leaders
Austrian Empire Frederick Bianchi Kingdom of Naples Guglielmo Pepe
Strength
2,500[1] 5,000[1]
Casualties and losses
116 killed or wounded[1] ~1,000 killed or wounded
612 captured[1]
Battle of Carpi (1815) is located in Europe
Battle of Carpi (1815)
Location within Europe

Battle

After Murat, the King of Naples was defeated at the Battle of Occhiobello, the Neapolitan advance was stopped on the banks of the Po River. From here, the Austrians launched a counterattack against the Neapolitan position in northern Italy. A corps under the command of Bianchi was ordered to march to the Neapolitan position around Modena and drive the Neapolitans out of the duchy. Half of Bianchi's corps marched on the town of Carpi, whilst the other half were sent to cut off the Neaplotian line of retreat.

The Austrians reached Carpi on 10 April, opening with an artillery barrage on the town's north gate. However, the Austrian column came through the south gate, surprising the Neapolitan garrison of 5,000 men commanded by Guglielmo Pepe and crushing any Neapolitan opposition. Having already received news of the defeat at Occhiobello, the Neapolitan morale crumbled and most of the surviving garrison deserted after the battle. Meanwhile, Michele Carascosa, who was in command of all the Neapolitan forces in the Duchy of Modena, realised the remaining troops were in danger of being surrounded, and ordered a general retreat from the area.

Citations
  1. Smith 1998, p. 531.

References
  • Smith, Digby (1998). The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill Books. ISBN 1-85367-276-9.

Further reading
Preceded by
Battle of Occhiobello		 Napoleonic Wars
Battle of Carpi (1815)		 Succeeded by
Battle of Casaglia
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