Battle of Castel di Sangro

Battle of Castel di Sangro
Part of the Neapolitan War

Castel di Sangro - scorcio del centro storico
Date13 May 1815
Location
Castel di Sangro, present-day Italy
41°47′0.69″N 14°6′26.15″E / 41.7835250°N 14.1072639°E / 41.7835250; 14.1072639
Result Austrian victory
Belligerents
 Austrian Empire  Kingdom of Naples
Commanders and leaders
Austrian Empire General Starhemberg[1] Kingdom of Naples General Neri[1]
Strength
1,000 infantry
1,000 cavalry[1]
2,000 infantry[1]
Casualties and losses
15 killed or wounded[1] 400 killed or wounded
206 captured[1]
Battle of Castel di Sangro is located in Europe
Battle of Castel di Sangro
Location within Europe

The Battle of Castel di Sangro was a minor battle in the Neapolitan War that took place on 13 May 1815 in the town of Castel di Sangro in central Italy. The battle resulted in the Neapolitan force being routed.

Following defeat at the Battle of Tolentino, the 4th Division of the Neapolitan army, commanded by General Andrea Pignatelli di Cerchiara had detached from the main army under their king, Joachim Murat, and were retreating south. The commander of the Austrian force, Frederick Bianchi, dispatched his advanced guard, consisting of Hungarian hussars and Tyrolean jägers, in pursuit.

The Austrians finally caught up with the Neapolitans on 13 May in the town of Castel di Sangro. Seeing the hussars, the Neapolitans formed squares. However, during the cause of the disastrous campaign, the 4th Division had been reduced to less than 2,000 men. The hussars broke the Neapolitan square and sent the remaining troops into disarray.

  1. ^ a b c d e f Smith 1998, p. 534.