ECKI1VHL, a village on the Leber, in Bavaria, notable for the battle fought there, on the 22d April, 1809, between 75,000 French and 40,000 Austrians. The archduke -Charles had taken up his position on the right bank of the Danube, near Eckmtihl. From this point, at the head of four divisions of the Austrian army, he threatened Napoleon, and hoped to gain possession of the road to Donanw5rth, the occupation of which would have decided the fate of Bavaria. This was prevented by Davout, who, moreover, by repeated attacks, contrived to keep the archduke in ignorance of Napoleon's clesigns The plan of the latter was to cut off the Austrians from their whole remaining communications with the Iser and Inn, and by throwing them back upon Ratisbon and Bohemia, as their only line of retreat, to sever them entirely from the support and protection of Vienna. On the 22d, Napoleon suddenly appeared, with his army, oppo site the village of Eckmuhl. The action, on the side of the French, was commenced
by Lannes, who drove back the Austrain left, while, at the same time, the village of E. was stormed by the Wiirtembergers. Shortly after, the high grounds between E. and Laichling, also occupied by the Austrians, were abandoned after a heroic struggle. and the archduke ordered a retreat on Ratisbon, which was admirably executed, though the 'defeated army was harassed by sixteen cavalry regiments. During the retreat, a mag nificent and thrilling encounter took place at Eglofsheim between the French and Aus trian cuirassiers, which, though it ended fatally for the latter, was largely instrumental in securing the retreat of the main body of the Austrian army. The Austrians had 5,000 men killed and wounded, and 7,000 taken prisoners, besides losing 12 standards and 16 pieces of cannon. The French loss was considerably less.