Neapolitan War: Murat Beaten at Tolentino!

May 2-3, 1815 - Austrian forces defeat Joachim Murat at the Battle of Tolentino (right). In an attempt to save his throne as King of Naples, Joachim Murat turned on his Austrian allies in March 1815. Moving quickly, he achieved some early success before two Austrian corps under Generals Frederick Bianchi and Adam Albert von Neipperg advanced into Italy. Falling back to Ancona, Murat hoped to defeat each Austrian corps in turn. Dispatching some troops to stall Neipperg, he moved to strike at Bianchi near Tolentino. Attacking Austrian defensive positions on May 2, Murat had some early success and nearly captured Bianchi. When the fighting died down that night, the Neapolitans had made some gains, but the Austrians remained in a strong defensive position. Fog the following morning delayed recommencing the battle until around 7:00 AM. Assaulting the Austrian line, Murat's men won some ground, but then were repulsed by heavy artillery and musket fire. As the battle raged, Murat learned that Neipperg was approaching. He also received false information that a Sicilian army was landing to the south. Seeing little choice, Murat broke off the fighting and retreated towards Pollenza. The defeat at Tolentino was the turning point of the conflict and the Neapolitan army ceased to an effective fighting force after the battle.

Photograph Source: Public Domain