Battle of Carpi

The battles of Carpi or engagements of Carpi was a series of operations which took place near Carpi (area of Emilie-Romagna, in the north of the Italy), the July 9th 1701, between the French Army ordered by Nicolas de Catinat and the Austrian army ordered by the prince Eugene of Savoy. It was the first battle of the War of succession of Spain.

Be a prelude to

At the beginning of the summer 1701, the Emperor decides to send in Italy an army under the orders of the prince Eugene of Savoy, to overflow the Spanish possessions in the peninsula. This one gathers with the the Tyrol whereas an army of opposition made up of French, Spaniards and Piedmont board, placed under the command of Nicolas de Catinat gathers slowly between Chiesa and the Adige.

Whereas difficulties of provisioning block the Austrian army, Catinat receives the order not to go to its meeting while crossing the Sérénissime République of Venice remained neutral, while thus renonçant to occupy of the more favorable positions like the procession of Rivoli. It must be satisfied to intimidate the Austrians by preventing them from crossing the Adige, with prohibition to start the first the hostilities.

Inviting the Venetian authorities not to be opposed to the passage his troops in exchange of the good behavior of those, the prince Eugene begins his walk the May 27th, by ways which no army used since Charles Quint. Its objective is to cross the Adige without fighting and while avoiding devastating the territories of the Duc of Nantua to encourage this prince to change camp

Sure of Venetian neutrality, Catinat thinking that the intention of the Austrians is to invade the Spanish possessions in the south of the Po concentrated its troops with the accesses of Rivoli which part of the infantry occupies, the remainder is dispersed on along the Adige, on both sides of Vérone.

During five weeks, the prince Eugene horn his adversary, and advances his troops towards the Po, making mine want to cross towards Ferrare where he undertook to make build bridges. This movement urges Catinat to be still spread out advantage and to make pass a body of infantry on other side of the Po to Seraglio.

The battle

Finally, Eugene of Savoy, found a point of passage little defended higher on the Adige. Misleading even its own army, it changes direction, and crosses the river the night of the 8 to the July 9th. The infantry controls easily the body of dragon S ordered by Saint-Fremont who defends the city, and attacks at once with some guns the village of Castagno where a body of infantry is insulated.

To the noise of the gun, the count de Tessé, distant only from three kilometers, runs with the cavalry. A very violent storm, which transforms the plain into marsh, obliged the Austrian cavalry to make a broad turning of five miles. That leaves a respite to the French who gather. In spite of their small number, they charge several times the Austrians. Prince Eugene is wounded, but its troops grow bigger at every moment.

The count of Albert and seven officers of his regiment are killed, the marquis de Cambout is wounded with death. Losing on the whole 300 men and 50 officers, overpowered under the number, the French fold up themselves, giving up Rivoli and the banks of the Adige and take refuge behind the Adda

Consequences

The Austrians are Masters of all the countries between Adige and Adda. They penetrate in the Bressan. Catinat moves back until behind the Oglio.

Although many officers approved this retirement which appeared wise to them and which the lack of ammunition made necessary, the courtiers made look at Catinat like the opprobe of the nation. The marshal of Villeroi persuaded Louis XIV which it would repair the national honor, and obtained the command of the army of Italy. In spite of its victories of Starffada and Marsaille, Catinat had to be useful under its orders.

Sources

historical and military Library, dedicated to the army and the national guard of France, 1857
French history, since the establishment of Francoise monarchy in Gaules, By Gabriel Daniel

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