The Battle of Hohenlinden took place on 3 December 1800 during the War of the Second Coalition. Fought in the dense forests of Bavaria, east of Munich, it set the French Army of the Rhine under General Jean-Victor Moreau against Austrian and Bavarian forces commanded by Archduke John of Austria. The battle ended in a decisive French victory, reshaping the strategic situation in Central Europe and leading to the Treaty of Lunéville in 1801.
Background
By late 1800 the Second Coalition was faltering. France had already defeated Austria in Italy at Marengo, and in Germany the Austrians sought to break French control over Bavaria. The harsh winter conditions of early December created treacherous ground for manoeuvres. Hohenlinden, with its forests and snow-covered clearings, became the stage for a clash of strategy and endurance.
Forces
Leaders
| Side | Commander |
|---|---|
| France | General Jean-Victor Moreau |
| Austria | Archduke John of Austria |
| Bavaria | General Johann von Kollowrat |
| France (Cavalry Corps) | General Antoine Richepanse |
Troop Composition
| Army | Estimated Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| France | 56,000 | Included infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Richepanse’s corps executed a key flanking manoeuvre. |
| Austria & Bavaria | 64,000 | Mixed forces of Austrian regulars and Bavarian allies, advancing in four columns through dense forest. |
Arms and Armour
French Forces
- Infantry equipped with Charleville Model 1777 muskets
- Cavalry using sabres such as the AN IX light cavalry sabre
- Officers often armed with spadroons and smallswords
- Artillery included 8-pounder and 12-pounder field guns
Austrian and Bavarian Forces
- Infantry armed with Austrian Model 1798 muskets
- Cavalry with heavy sabres and pallasches (straight cavalry swords)
- Officers carried ornate smallswords and sidearms
- Supporting artillery batteries with 6-pounder and 12-pounder guns
The battle highlighted the advantage of French flexibility, particularly their cavalry sabres in rapid snow-bound charges, against the slower Austrian formations.
Battle Timeline
- Morning, 3 December 1800: Austrian columns advance through snow-covered forests towards Hohenlinden, their movement slowed by poor visibility and terrain.
- Mid-morning: French forward units under Ney and Grouchy hold firm. The Austrian centre becomes bogged down.
- Late morning: General Richepanse executes a daring flank march, striking the Austrian rear and cutting their lines.
- Early afternoon: Austrian forces collapse into disorder, with French infantry and cavalry pressing from the front and rear.
- Evening: The Austrian army retreats in chaos towards Salzburg, leaving thousands of casualties and prisoners.
Archaeology and Legacy
The battlefield of Hohenlinden remains relatively undeveloped, with monuments marking key positions. Archaeological surveys have uncovered musket balls, sabre fragments, and artillery shot, offering insight into the scale of fighting. Local museums in Bavaria display relics, including Austrian officer swords and French uniform buttons.
The victory cemented Moreau’s reputation, although he would later fall out with Napoleon. For Austria, the defeat forced a peace settlement that effectively ended the Second Coalition.
Contemporary Quotes
A French officer described the snowy battlefield as:
“The forest itself fought with us, swallowing the Austrians in confusion, while our sabres gleamed against the whiteness of the day.”
An Austrian survivor recalled:
“The snow blinded our march, and before we could form, the French were behind us. We fought surrounded, every tree a trap.”
The Seven Swords Takeaway
The Battle of Hohenlinden demonstrated the effectiveness of French operational flexibility and the dangers of advancing in divided columns through difficult terrain. Moreau’s victory carried immediate political and military consequences, forcing Austria to negotiate peace and further establishing France as the dominant power in continental Europe at the dawn of the 19th century.
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