Battles & Campaigns · 1809
Battle of Sankt Michael
Sankt Michael in Obersteiermark, Styria, Austria
What happened
Jellacic's division was marching to join Archduke John at Graz. Grenier's corps caught it at Sankt Michael. The Austrians held at first, but more French troops arrived, and their attack broke the Austrian line and captured thousands.
Why it matters
Jellacic reached John with less than a third of his men, so the reinforcement largely failed. One historian called him 'a remarkably unlucky and inept general'.
What came next
Archduke John retreated into Hungary, and the two armies met at Raab on 14 June.
Did you know?
Jellacic had only 60 cavalrymen and four cannons with him.
Timeline
- 17 May 1809Battle of Tarvis.
- 25 May 1809Battle of Sankt Michael.
- 14 Jun 1809Battle of Raab.