Battle of Modena (1799) facts for kids
The Battle of Modena was a fight that happened on June 12, 1799. It was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Second Coalition, which was part of the French Revolutionary Wars. In this battle, the French army, led by General Jacques MacDonald, fought against an Austrian army led by Prince Friedrich Franz Xaver of Hohenzollern-Hechingen.
The battle took place in Modena, a city in northern Italy, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Bologna. The French won this battle, even though General MacDonald was hurt during the fighting.
Quick facts for kids Battle of Modena (1799) |
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| Part of War of the Second Coalition | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 France |
 Habsburg Austria |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Jacques MacDonald (WIA) |
Prince Hohenzollern |
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| Units involved | |||||||
| Army of Naples | Mantua Siege Corps | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 29,000 | 4,300 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 600 | 2,400, 8 guns | ||||||
The War in Italy
In April 1799, the Austrians and their allies, the Russian Empire, had pushed the French out of much of northern Italy. This happened after battles like Magnano and Cassano. The French forces in southern and central Italy needed to act.
General MacDonald gathered these French troops. He marched them north to try and change the situation. His goal was to take back control for France.
The Battle of Modena
General MacDonald's army burst out of the Apennine Mountains. They met Prince Hohenzollern's Austrian division near Modena. The French divisions, led by Jean-Baptiste Olivier and François Watrin, attacked the Austrians.
The Austrian forces were much smaller than the French army. The French quickly defeated them. During the fighting, General MacDonald was accidentally wounded. He received two cuts from a saber, which is a type of sword.
After the Battle
After their victory at Modena, General MacDonald's army moved west. They were preparing to fight the larger group of allied forces. The next major battle for them would be the Battle of the Trebbia (1799). This battle took place a few days later, from June 17 to 19.
See also
