Battle of Amstetten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Amstetten |
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| Part of the War of the Third Coalition | |||||||
 Perrin: Jean Lannes, Duke of Montebello |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 France |
 Habsburg Empire Russia |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Joachim Murat Jean Lannes |
Michael Kienmayer Pyotr Bagration |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Around 10,000 soldiers | 6,700-7,900 soldiers | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1,000 | Russian Empire: 300 killed or wounded <700 prisoners Austrian Empire: 1,000 killed, wounded, or prisoners |
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The Battle of Amstetten was a small but important fight. It happened during the War of the Third Coalition. This war was between the First French Empire and an alliance of Austria and Russia.
The battle took place on November 5, 1805. Russian and Austrian troops were retreating. They were led by Mikhail Kutuzov. French forces, led by Marshal Joachim Murat and Jean Lannes, caught up to them. Pyotr Bagration bravely held off the French. This allowed the main Russian army to get away safely.
This was the first time a large part of the Russian army fought many French soldiers in an open battle. The combined Russian and Austrian forces had about 6,700 to 7,900 soldiers. The French army had roughly 10,000 soldiers. The Russian and Austrian side had more casualties. However, they still managed to retreat successfully.
What Led to the Battle
The Battle of Amstetten happened during the War of the Third Coalition. This big war lasted from 1803 to 1806. This specific battle took place right after the Austrians surrendered in the Ulm Campaign.
After Karl Mack von Leiberich surrendered at the Battle of Ulm, Russian forces had to retreat. Their leader, Mikhail Kutuzov, decided to move his troops along the Danube River. He wanted to meet up with other Russian armies. Napoleon, the French leader, wanted to stop the Russian army. He sent his marshals, Joachim Murat and Jean Lannes, to catch them.
The Fight at Amstetten
The French army first caught up with the Russians near Enns, Austria. This was about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Amstetten. They met again at Oed, which was just 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) west of Amstetten.
Bagration decided to fight the French at Amstetten. He placed his infantry (foot soldiers) and cavalry (soldiers on horseback) on hills. These hills were on both sides of the main road. He put his artillery (cannons) on the main road for the best aim.
Murat led the first attack with his cavalry. But his small group was quickly overwhelmed. They had to fall back. Murat's troops then got help from Nicolas Oudinot’s grenadiers (special infantry). These grenadiers stopped Bagration’s advance. They forced his line to retreat back into Amstetten.
Murat waited for more of his soldiers and Lannes to arrive. Lannes was ordered to attack Bagration's positions. Bagration asked for more help. He was joined by Miloradovich, who brought four infantry regiments, ten cavalry regiments, and more artillery. As the battle continued, the Russian Jägers (light infantry) had to fall back. Another French attack pushed back an Austrian Grenz infantry battalion. The fighting slowly stopped as night came.
After the Battle
About 1,000 Austrian soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured. For the Russians, 300 soldiers were killed or wounded. Fewer than 700 Russian soldiers were captured.
Bagration did his job well as the rear guard. A rear guard is a group of soldiers who protect the main army from behind. He allowed the rest of the Russian and Austrian troops to retreat safely overnight. The Russian and Austrian forces had more casualties than the French. However, both sides claimed they were outnumbered. It's still unclear who truly "won" the battle.
