Battles & Campaigns · 1797
Battle of Tarvis
Tarvisio, Friuli, Italy
What happened
Bonaparte's army was pushing toward Austria through the Alps. The French blocked the Tarvis Pass, and after three days of confused fighting they trapped and captured about 3,500 Austrian soldiers. The last Austrian column was caught between converging French divisions.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the last battle of the War of the First Coalition. It opened the way deep into Austrian lands.
What came next
The French reached Leoben, about 75 miles from Vienna. The Austrians agreed to the Preliminaries of Leoben on 18 April, confirmed by the Treaty of Campo Formio in October 1797.
Did you know?
Bonaparte bluffed Archduke Charles into thinking the French were much stronger than they were.
Timeline
- 16 March 1797Battle of Valvasone.
- 21–23 March 1797Battle of Tarvis.
- 18 April 1797Preliminaries of Leoben.
- 17 October 1797Treaty of Campo Formio.