Battle of Faenza

Overview

The Battle of Faenza, also known as the Battle of Castel Bolognese on February 3, 1797, saw a 7,000 troops from the Papal Army commanded by Michelangelo Alessandro Colli-Marchi facing 9,000 troops from the French Army under the command of Claude Victor-Perrin. The veteran French troops quickly overran the Papal army, inflicting disproportionate casualties. The town of Castel Bolognese was located on the banks of the Senio River 40 kilometres (25 mi) southeast of Bologna, and the city of Faenza was also nearby. The action took place during the War of the First Coalition, as part of the French Revolutionary Wars.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Faenza, fought in early February 1797, was part of the French Republican campaign to neutralize the Papal States during the closing phase of the War of the First Coalition. A French force of 9,000 veterans under Claude Victor-Perrin engaged roughly 7,000 Papal troops commanded by Michelangelo Colli near the Senio River, in territory between Bologna and Faenza. The French quickly overran the Papal army, inflicting disproportionate casualties of around 1,200 on the defender. The engagement was consistent with the broader French pressure that would compel the Papal States toward armistice, stripping the coalition of a central Italian belligerent and extending French control deeper into the peninsula.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (3)