Battle of Carpi 1701 • Classical Era
Discovering the battle
9 July 1701 French defeat

Battle of Carpi

War of the Spanish Succession · Carpi, Duchy of Modena (present-day Italy)

Summary

In a series of initial maneuvers in northern Italy, Imperial troops surprise the French advance guard at Carpi. Prince Eugene of Savoy crosses the Po unopposed, forcing the French to retreat.

Historical context

First battle of the War of the Spanish Succession in Italy: the Emperor sent Eugene of Savoy from the Tyrol while Catinat slowly assembled a Franco-Spanish army between the Chiese and the Adige to cover Milan.

Tactics

Eugene crossed the Adige by night on 8-9 July at a poorly defended ford near Castagnaro, surprised Saint-Fremont's dragoons at Carpi, and forced repeated charges by Tessé; a storm turned the plain into a swamp and favored Austrian regrouping.

Consequences

The French abandoned Rivoli and the banks of the Adige, taking refuge behind the Adda then the Oglio; defeat led to Catinat's disgrace and replacement by Villeroy, and prepared the more severe Battle of Chiari.

Location

Place : Carpi, Duchy of Modena (present-day Italy)
Coordinates : 44.785°N, 10.8894°E

Related battles

1701 Classical Era Defeat

Battle of Chiari

Chiari, Duchy of Milan (present-day Italy) · War of the Spanish Succession

Ill prepared, Franco-Spanish forces attack a well-fortified position held by Prince Eugene at Chiari. The frontal assault ends in a crushing failure, with very heavy losses on the French side.

Marshal Nicolas CatinatvsHoly Roman Empire
1702 Classical Era Indecisive

Battle of Luzzara

Luzzara, Duchy of Milan (present-day Italy) · War of the Spanish Succession

On the Po plain, French and Imperial armies meet at Luzzara in a fierce and indecisive battle. Eugene takes the initiative by attacking French positions at dawn, but Vendôme, supported by Philip V of Spain, organizes a tenacious defense. Both sides claim victory, although neither was able to break the other. The battle, one of the bloodiest of the war, shows the harshness of the Italian front.

Louis-Joseph de BourbonvsImperial army commanded by Prince Eugene of Savoy
1702 Classical Era Victory

Battle of Cremona

Cremona, Duchy of Milan (present-day Italy) · War of the Spanish Succession

In a meticulously prepared night attack, Prince Eugene of Savoy attempts to surprise the French garrison of Cremona. Imperial troops infiltrate through an aqueduct and open the city gates to a larger force. Despite the initial surprise and the capture of Marshal Villeroi, the fierce resistance of French soldiers, notably Irish regiments in the service of Louis XIV, allows the assailants to be repulsed and the city to be held.

Marshal François de NeufvillevsImperial army commanded by Prince Eugene of Savoy