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| Battle of Tolentino | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of theNeapolitan War | |||||||
 The Battle of Tolentino byVincenzo Milizia | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Austrian Empire Grand Duchy of Tuscany |  Kingdom of Naples | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Frederick Bianchi | Joachim Murat  Michele Carrascosa | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 11,938 men 1,452 horses 28 guns | 25,588 men 4,790 horses 58 guns | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
800 total: 100 wounded | 4,120 total: 600 wounded 2,400 captured | ||||||
  Location within Europe | |||||||
TheBattle of Tolentino was fought from 2–3 May 1815 nearTolentino,Kingdom of Naples in what is nowMarche, Italy: it was the decisive battle in theNeapolitan War, fought by the NapoleonicKing of NaplesJoachim Murat to keep the throne after theCongress of Vienna. The battle occurred during theHundred Days following Napoleon's return from exile and, like theBattle of Waterloo, resulted in a decisive victory for the Seventh Coalition, leading to the restoration of the previousBourbon king,Ferdinand I.
By the end of April 1815, Murat had lost all the early gains he made at the start of the war as two advancingAustriancorps under the command of GeneralsBianchi andNeipperg forced the Neapolitans south-east to a base inAncona. The two Austrian corps had become separated on either side of theApennine Mountains and Murat hoped to defeat Bianchi to the west before quickly turning on Neipperg, who had been pursuing his retreat from the north.
Murat planned to face Bianchi near the town ofTolentino. Dispatching a small force under GeneralMichele Carrascosa to delay Neipperg, Murat moved his main force to meet Bianchi. On 29 April, a small advance party of Hungarianhussars routed the small Neapolitan garrison stationed in Tolentino. With the Austrian vanguard already established in Tolentino, Murat's army camped to the north east inMacerata. Bianchi realised Murat's plan and decided to delay Murat for as long as possible. The Austrians established a defensive line based on the Tower ofSan Catervo, with further troops being positioned atRancia Castle, the church of Maestà and at Saint Joseph. Murat had to force the issue and march on Bianchi. The two armies met on 2 May.
The battle opened at dawn with an artillery bombardment from both sides on the valley leading north to Sforzacosta. Although the Austrians were already established around Tolentino, Murat managed to catch them by surprise. In the opening engagements, Neapolitan troops managed to surround and capture General Bianchi near Sforzacosta but he was almost immediately freed by a regiment of Hungarianhussars. By mid morning, the Neapolitan army had concentrated nearPollenza, with fierce fighting in the area. During the day, the main action occurred around the Austrian outpost at Rancia Castle, which changed hands many times. By the end of the first day, although the Neapolitan army had the upper hand and had made slight gains, including Monte Milone, the Austrians were still in an excellent defensive position.
On the second day, fog delayed the start of battle until 7:00 a.m. The day started well for Murat as the Neapolitan army managed to take Rancia Castle as well as the hills of Cantagallo. From here, the Neapolitans staged a further attack on the Austrian positions. Two Neapolitan infantry divisions, including Murat's Guard Division, descended from Monte Milone against the Austrian left flank.
The Neapolitans made the mistake of forming square, expecting a swift cavalry counter-attack, which never happened. The Austrian infantry delivered a series of volleys, supported by devastating artillery fire. GeneralMohr(de) had also repulsed an attack on the Austrian right and the entire Neapolitan line fell back to Pollenza. With the result of the battle still undecided, Murat received word Neipperg had defeated Carascosa at theBattle of Scapezzano and was approaching. To make matters worse, he received false rumours that a British fleet had just unloaded a Sicilian army in the south of Italy, threatening his line of retreat. Unbeknownst to Murat, the British fleet was instead sailing toblockade Naples and Ancona. Murat sounded the retreat and the fighting ended.
The battle resulted in a decisive Austrian victory. The Neapolitans lost over 4,000 men and the Austrians 800. Afterwards the Neapolitans would be beaten by Hungarian cavalry atCastel di Sangro and the remains of the shattered Neapolitan army would be finished atSan Germano. Meanwhile, the entire Neapolitan fleet surrendered to theRoyal Navy to avoid bombardment of theNeapolitan capital.[citation needed]
Murat fell back to Naples but with the Austrians approaching by land and the British by sea, he had no choice but to flee toCorsica, disguised as a Danish sailor. The battle proved decisive; on 20 May 1815, Austria and Naples concluded theTreaty of Casalanza, restoringFerdinand IV to the throne.
Media related toBattle of Tolentino at Wikimedia Commons| Preceded by Battle of Scapezzano | Napoleonic Wars Battle of Tolentino | Succeeded by Siege of Ancona |
