Battle of Diersheim (1797) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Diersheim (1797)
Part of War of the First Coalition
General Duhesme at the Battle of Diersheim, by Charles Thévenin
Date 20 to 21 April 1797 (2 floréal an V) Location Rheinau, present-day Germany Result French victory
Belligerents
French First Republic	Habsburg monarchy
Commanders and leaders
Jean Moreau	Count Anton Sztáray
Units involved
Army of the Rhine and Moselle	Army of the Upper Rhine
Strength
48,500-52,000	24,000-34,000
Casualties and losses
3,000	2,700 killed or wounded 2,000 captured 13 guns

The Battle of Diersheim was a big fight that happened on April 20-21, 1797. It was part of the French Revolutionary Wars, a series of conflicts between France and other European countries. In this battle, the French army, led by Jean Victor Marie Moreau, fought against the Austrian army, commanded by Anton Count Sztáray de Nagy-Mihaly.

The battle took place near Diersheim, a village in what is now Germany. Diersheim is close to the Rhine River. Even though both sides lost many soldiers, the French won. However, this battle was unusual because a peace agreement had already been signed just a few days before it happened!

What Was the Battle of Diersheim?

The Battle of Diersheim was a fierce two-day fight. It involved thousands of soldiers from both the First French Republic and the Habsburg monarchy (the Austrian Empire). The French army was part of the Army of the Rhine and Moselle. The Austrian army was called the Army of the Upper Rhine.

Who Fought in the Battle?

The main leader for the French was General Jean Victor Marie Moreau. He was a very skilled commander. For the Austrians, the main commander was Count Anton Count Sztáray de Nagy-Mihaly. Both generals had large armies under their command. The French had between 48,500 and 52,000 soldiers. The Austrians had fewer, with about 24,000 to 34,000 troops.

Where Did the Battle Happen?

The battle happened around the village of Diersheim. This village is part of a larger area called Rheinau. It's located in present-day Germany. Diersheim is about one kilometer southwest of the important Rhine River. It's also about 9 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of a town called Kehl.

Why Was This Battle Unusual?

What makes the Battle of Diersheim stand out is its timing. Just a few days before the battle, a peace agreement was signed. This agreement was called the Preliminaries of Leoben. It was signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Austria. This agreement was supposed to stop the fighting. So, the battle was fought even though a truce was already in place. This meant many lives were lost unnecessarily.

What Was the Outcome?

The battle was very tough for both sides. About 3,000 French soldiers were killed or wounded. The Austrians also suffered heavy losses. Around 2,700 Austrian soldiers were killed or wounded. On top of that, the French captured 2,000 Austrian soldiers and 13 cannons. An Austrian general, Wilhelm von Immens, was killed. Count Sztáray, the Austrian commander, was also badly wounded. Even though it was a costly victory, it helped improve General Moreau's reputation as a military leader.