Battle of Castel di Sangro

Infobox Military Conflict


caption=
conflict=Battle of Castel di Sangro
partof=the Neapolitan War
date=13 May 1815
place=Castel di Sangro, present-day Italy
result=Austrian victory
combatant1=flag|Austrian Empire
combatant2=flagicon|Two Sicilies|1811 Kingdom of Naples
commander1=Frederick Bianchi
commander2=Pignatelli Cerchiara
strength1=1,000 infantry
1,000 cavalry
strength2=1,900 infantry
casualties1=15 killed or wounded
casualties2=400 killed or wounded
206 captured

The Battle of Castel di Sangro was a minor battle in the Neapolitan War that took place on 13 May 1815 in the town of Castel di Sangro in central Italy. The battle resulted in the Neapolitan force being routed.

Following defeat at the Battle of Tolentino, the 4th Division of the Neapolitan army, commanded by General Pignatelli Cerchiara had detached from the main army under their king, Joachim Murat, and were retreating south. The commander of the Austrian force, Frederick Bianchi, dispatched his advanced guard, consisting of Hungarian hussars and Tyrolean jägers, in pursuit. The Austrians finally caught up with the Neapolitans on 13 May in the town of Castel di Sangro. Seeing the hussars, the Neapolitans formed squares. However, during the cause of the disastrous campaign, the 4th Division had been reduced to less than 2,000 men. The hussars broke the Neapolitan square and sent the remaining troops into disarray.

References

*Capt. Batty, [http://www.napoleonic-literature.com/Book_29/002-Events.htm "An Historical Sketch of the Campaign of 1815"] , London (1820)
* [http://www.clash-of-steel.co.uk/pages/battle_details.php?battle=CASTELDISA01 Details of battle at Clash of Steel]