 | This article is written like a story. (October 2023) |
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2014) |
| Battle of Castelfranco Veneto | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the War of the Third Coalition | |||||||
 Castelfranco as it appeared in 1697 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 France |
 Austrian Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
L. Gouvion Saint-Cyr Jean Reynier |
Prince de Rohan (POW) | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Army of Italy (France) | Rohan's Brigade | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| over 8,000 | 4,400, 5 guns | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Light | 4,400, 5 guns, 4 colors | ||||||
In the Battle of Castelfranco Veneto (24 November 1805), two divisions of the French Army of Italy confronted an Austrian brigade led by Prince Louis Victor de Rohan-Guéméné. The Austrians had made a remarkable march from deep in the Alps to the plains of northern Italy. But, caught between the divisions of Jean Reynier and Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr, Rohan surrendered his command after failing to fight his way out. The event occurred during the War of the Third Coalition, part of the Napoleonic Wars. Castelfranco Veneto is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of Venice.
The Ulm Campaign of October 1805 resulted in an Austrian disaster when the Grande Armée of Napoleon enveloped and destroyed most of its units. Afterward, only Michael von Kienmayer's fleeing corps and a newly arriving Russian army under Mikhail Kutuzov stood between Napoleon and the Austrian capital of Vienna. After hearing the news of Ulm, the main army of Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen began withdrawing from northern Italy and Archduke John of Austria's smaller army pulled out of the County of Tyrol. In the confusion, Rohan's brigade became separated from John's army. First, Rohan attempted to join part of Charles' army. Failing, he had his men move south to link up with the Austrian garrison of Venice. After an epic march Rohan's brigade was cornered short of Venice. The issue of the war would be determined at the Battle of Austerlitz in early December.