The battles of Hohenlinden take place the 12 frimaire year IX (December 3rd 1800) between the French troops of the general Moreau and the Austrian forces and Bavarian ordered by the Archiduc Jean-Baptiste of Austria.

Context

The army of Moreau progressed while going up the valley of the the Danube and while delivering victorious combat all. It aimed to reach Vienna. The marshal of operation Paul Kray requested a three months armistice. Moreau, in lack of ammunition, accepted. The cabinet of Vienna, judging that Kray missed pugnacity, raised it of his command and replaced it by the Archiduc Jean-Baptiste of Austria. This one started by concentrating its austro-Bavarian army in front of Munich.

Countryside preceding the battle

Jean-Baptiste had in the idea to overflow by a broad circular motion the French line. The plan realizable, but was well indicated, Moreau was informed of it, and decided to await it in the forest of Hohenlinden. This rather bulky and not easily penetrable solid mass was crossed only by one good road able to carry cartages. Snow fell to large flakes.

Unfolding

French divisions let large enemy army begin there. The general Richepanse jetta with its troops on the Austrian rear-guard to cut any retirement. Moreau then ordered with Ney to insert the avant-garde. That had as a result to throw the Austrians in an extreme confusion. The snow which wet the powder prevented them from drawing. Piled up on the road, they could not be spread, while in the center, the battalions of French infantry approached them with the bayonet.

Assessment

The Austrians were destroyed. The Jean-Baptiste archduke in escape had missed being taken, but its staff had had less chance than him. The result is a decisive French victory which put an end to the war Second coalition by the Paix of Lunéville.

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