Battle of Carpi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Carpi
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession
Date 9 July 1701 Location Carpi, near Legnago 45°08′13.90″N 11°23′41.50″E / 45.1371944°N 11.3948611°E / 45.1371944; 11.3948611 Result Austrian victory
Belligerents
Habsburg Monarchy	Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Prince Eugene of Savoy	Nicolas Catinat
Strength
About 17,000	About 11,400
Casualties and losses
Approximately 42 dead (2 officers), and 50–60 wounded (7 officers)	Approximately 350 casualties (50 officers), and 109 taken prisoner (9 officers)

The Battle of Carpi was a small but important fight in the summer of 1701. It was the very first battle of the War of the Spanish Succession. This war was a big conflict over who would rule Spain. The battle happened on July 9, 1701, between the armies of France and Austria. It was a quick fight that the French commander, Marshal Catinat, decided not to continue. His soldiers were not happy about retreating, and because of this, he was later replaced.

Getting Ready for Battle

In Italy, the Austrian army made the first move. Their army was led by Prince Eugene of Savoy. He planned to take over Spanish lands in Italy. His army gathered in Tyrol in early summer.

The French army, with soldiers from France, Spain, and Piedmont, was led by Marshal Catinat. They were gathering between the Chiese and the Adige rivers. Prince Eugene had trouble getting supplies for his army. This allowed the French to take strong positions near Rivoli. Marshal Catinat thought his army was safe there. He believed the land to the east, belonging to Venice, was neutral. This meant no fighting should happen there.

But Prince Eugene had a secret plan. He pretended to prepare to enter Italy by other routes. Meanwhile, he secretly looked for ways to cross the mountains. On May 27, he began his march very quietly. He asked the Venetian leaders not to stop his troops. His army used old paths that no army had used in a long time. By May 28, his army was on the plains.

Prince Eugene's main goal was to cross the Adige River without a fight. He also wanted to make the duke of Mantua Charles IV change sides. He did this by damaging the Duke's private lands. But he made sure to leave the common people's property alone. Marshal Catinat was completely surprised by this. He had relied on Venice staying neutral. When Eugene's army spread out near Legnago, Catinat made a mistake. He thought the Austrians wanted to attack Spanish lands south of the Po River. So, he spread out his army too much, all the way to the Po.

The Battle of Carpi

Prince Eugene crossing the Alps.

After five weeks of careful moves by both sides, Prince Eugene found a weak spot. It was about 10 kilometers southeast of Legnago, near Castagnaro. He kept his plans very secret, even from his own army.

On the night of July 8-9, he crossed the lower Adige River. His troops quickly defeated a small group of French cavalry at Carpi on July 9.

Marshal Catinat quickly pulled his scattered army back to the Mincio River. Prince Eugene then moved north. He reconnected with his old supply route from Roveredo to Rivoli. For a while, Eugene had big problems getting supplies. The Venetians would not let his supply boats go down the Adige River.

Finally, Prince Eugene prepared to cross the Mincio River. He chose a spot near Peschiera del Garda, far to the left of Catinat's army. His plan was to find new supplies near Brescia. He successfully crossed the river on July 28.

Catinat's cavalry saw Eugene's bridges but did not try to stop him. It seemed Marshal Catinat was happy that Eugene was not attacking Spanish lands. Catinat quietly pulled his army back to the Oglio River. However, his soldiers were upset about retreating from a smaller Austrian force. In early August, Marshal Catinat's rival, Tessé, reported this to Paris. Because of this, Marshal Villeroy, a favorite of King Louis, was sent to take command of the French army.