The Battle of Casaglia was a part of the Neapolitan War. An Austrian force under the command of Johann Friedrich von Mohr engaged a Neapolitan force under their commander, Joachim Murat. The battle took place around the village of Casaglia, seven miles northwest of Ferrara, and resulted in the Austrians recapturing the village from Murat.[1]

Battle of Casaglia
Part of the Neapolitan War

Johann Friedrich Mohr
Date12 April 1815
Location
Casaglia, present-day Italy
44°54′5.69″N 11°32′25.29″E / 44.9015806°N 11.5403583°E / 44.9015806; 11.5403583
Result Austrian victory
Belligerents
 Austrian Empire  Kingdom of Naples
Commanders and leaders
Austrian Empire Johann Frimont
Austrian Empire Johann Friedrich von Mohr
Kingdom of Naples Joachim Murat
Strength
4,500[1] 7,000+
Casualties and losses
230 killed or wounded[1] ~1,000 killed or wounded
Battle of Casaglia is located in Europe
Battle of Casaglia
Location within Europe

Battle

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After Murat was defeated at the Battle of Occhiobello, the Neapolitans stopped their advance and made a defensive line on the Po River. However, even from his new position, Murat was still able to threaten the key Austrian held city of Ferrara, which had been under attack since 7 April. The commander of the main Austrian force on the north bank of the Po, Johann Frimont, decided to break out from his bridgehead at Occhiobello and drive Murat from his position, forcing him to lift the Siege of Ferrara.

Murat had entrenched General Ambrosio's division on his right flank northwest of Ferrara, around the villages of Ravale and Casaglia. The Neapolitan garrison of Ravale was quickly routed on the morning of 12 April. On the same day, an Austrian column under the command of General Mohr, attacked a larger Neapolitan force entrenched in Casaglia. Following severe fighting in the village, the Austrians eventually broke the morale of the defenders and drove the Neapolitans from their positions by the evening. The Neapolitans suffered severe casualties as they retreated. The remainder of the force fell back on the road to Bologna with a large number deserting Murat's cause altogether. Mirandola fell the following day to the Austrians without major fighting and Murat was forced to retire from his defensive position, finally pulling his troops back from Ferrara.

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c Smith 1998, p. 532.

References

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

Further reading

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Preceded by
Battle of Carpi (1815)
Napoleonic Wars
Battle of Casaglia
Succeeded by
Battle of Ronco