Historical Background
Second day of the battle from 10am
By March 1815, Murat, King of Naples, was aware that Austria and Britain were together resolved to depose him in favour of the Bourbon Ferdinand IV. Hoping to rally the people of Milan to his side under the banner of Italian nationalism, he led the Army of Naples north. After some initial success, the arrival of two Austrian corps under Bianchi and Neipperg forced Murat to halt his march and retreat towards Ancona. Murat saw his chance when the Austrian corps became separated. Sending a small force to delay Neipperg, Murat attacked Bianchi at Tolentino on 2nd May with an advantage of almost 3 to 1 in men.
By the end of the first day, the Neapolitan army had made some gains but the Austrians were still in possession of a strong defensive line, anchored on Tolentino, across a steep sided ridge. Worse, one of the better Neapolitan generals, d'Ambrosio, had been wounded and was now out of action.
Day two of the battle commenced around 7am, with the Neapolitans taking Rancia Castle and the hills of Cantagallo. However, further advances against the Austrian flanks suffered from confusion and tactical error, partly due to the incompetence of d'Aguino, d'Ambrosio's replacement. The attacks were repulsed and the Neapolitan army fell back, relinquishing earlier gains.
Hearing that Neipperg was on his way and even a false report of an Anglo-Sicilian army threatening his line of retreat, Murat decided to disengage. Overnight, the retreat turned into a rout.
Following the battle, the Neapolitan army retreated towards Naples, its disintegration completed by Austrian victories at Castel di Sangro (13 May) and San Germano (15 May). Murat fled Italy shortly afterwards, returning later in the year in a foolish scheme to invade Calabria with 200 men, only to be captured and subsequently face a firing squad.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
Battle Notes
Austrian Army
• Commander: Bianchi
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Tactician Cards (optional) 
Kingdom of Naples (Neapolitan)
• Commander: Murat
• 5 Command Cards
• 2 Tactician Cards (optional)
• Move First 
Victory
7 Banners
Special Rules
Chienti river is impassable except at the bridge and ford.
Tributary stream from Cassone is fordable and has no effects on infantry.
Potenza is a standard fordable stream.
Steep sided hills are represented as fieldworks pieces with associated terrain effects.
Tolentino and Castel del Rancia are represented as Walled Farms.
Naples Line Infantry - as French Line Infantry conscripts (no additional die in melee, retreat 2 hexes).
Naples Light Cavalry - as Spanish.
Naples Light Infantry - as Portugese.
Naples "Guard" are equated to standard French units for all purposes.
The Neapolitan player, at the start of the turn, gains 1 Victory Banner if a Neapolitan unit occupies Tolentino. (Permanent Objective Victory Banner Turn Start)
The Neapolitan player, at the start of the turn, gains 1 Victory Banner if a Neapolitan unit occupies Cassone. The banner is lost when Cassone is no longer occupied by a Neapolitan unit or garrison. (Temporary Objective Victory Banner Turn Start)
The Austrian player, at the start of the turn, gains 1 Victory Banner if a Austrian unit occupies Castel del Rancia. The banner is lost when Castel del Rancia is no longer occupied by a Austrian unit or garrison. (Temporary Objective Victory Banner Turn Start)
The Austrian player, at the start of the turn, gains 1 Victory Banner if a Austrian unit occupies Monte Milone. (Permanent Objective Victory Banner Turn Start)
Sources:
Murat's Last Charge: The Battle of Tolentino 2-3 May 1815, Jack Gill, First Empire magazine #16 (April/May 1994).
The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book, Digby Smith.
Tolentino Wargame scenario, Avon Napoleonic Fellowship
Hundred Days 20 (Tolentino 20), Jack Gill & Victory Point Games
Orders of Battle for Tolentino 1815, George F Nafziger (The Nafziger Collection of Napoleonic Orders of Battle)
