Battle of Sinsheim
Sinsheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
What happened
A French army under Marshal Turenne attacked an Imperial force under Aeneas de Caprara. Turenne crossed the Rhine to catch Caprara before he could join another Imperial army. The French forced their way through the village, climbed a narrow path to the plateau behind it, and drove the Imperial troops off. The town was destroyed in the fighting, with 2,000 to 3,000 reported killed.
Why it matters
It gave Turenne the lead in the campaign. But the two Imperial armies still joined up near Heidelberg.
What came next
Brandenburg joined the war against France. In July Turenne crossed the Rhine again and ravaged the Palatinate to deny its supplies to the Imperials, then fought their army at Entzheim in October.
Did you know?
Turenne's victory, a biographer wrote, made him master of the Palatinate.
Timeline
- 14 Jun 1674Turenne crosses the Rhine.
- 16 Jun 1674Battle of Sinsheim.
- 1 Jul 1674Brandenburg joins the war.
- 4 Oct 1674Battle of Entzheim.