Following the events of the first weeks of February, the Corps of Lannes and Oudinot are surrounded at Innsbruck as the winter weather intensifies. All the roads around them are controlled by the Austrians of Archduke Louis. On February 11th, the Austrians begin their attack with Czarak and Hardegg columns arriving from the west. It is known that Louis and Reisner columns, perhaps also Menkowitz, are due from the north so Lannes determines to attack quickly, in hope of smashing the initial columns before reinforcements can arrive.

Archduke Louis, anticipating that the French would be less aggressive, had adopted a plan that would take advantage of the large number of Grenzer and Tyrolian light infantry in his army. The bulk of Czarak was to advance onto the plain toward Kematern in divisional squares. Hardegg, with the artillery, would advance at the speed of his guns and hold against any oncoming French. The ultimate goal was to insert four to five brigades of Grenzers into Kamatern Wood and thereby dominate the central position. It would transpire that the French deployment was entirely what Louis expected but he was entirely surprised by their aggressiveness.

Initially, everything looks as expected. Seeing the French deployed into columns gives Louis the first clue that they will come to him.

The divisional squares of Czarak work perfectly and frustrate the dominant French cavalry. They have a single battery there and the Austrians cannot reply to it, only taking a beating. Lannes, advancing originally against Hardegg, sees a more tempting target in Czarak and shifts right.

The initial French assault catches Czarak unprepared though Louis and Reisner were in consultation at that moment discussing what would be done in the eventuality of a French attack at precisely that point. Reisner is already beginning to deploy his early division into line as a recourse behind Czarak.

It turned out that Lannes' lead division was too energetic by half and the rest of the corps is in no position to support it. Also, it has no further orders and bogs down, confused. It is, perhaps, an opportunity lost.

As Lannes' Corps slows, it bunches up and begins to suffer from nearly point blank fire of 12 pound batteries. Austrian cavalry begins to enjoy some successes as Lannes' own cavalry in support falls too far behind in the switch across the front of the enemy.

Reisner's column and further troops of Czarak and Hardegg begin to arrive behind the Austrians. The sight of a fresh division of cavalry and several more artillery batteries dispirit the French commanders. Louis launches an offensive in the center, seizing the initiative and two leading French brigades are routed or dispersed.Hardegg's artillery begins to find its range.

Lannes orders a retreat and the French extricate themselves through the woods. The Austrians would be entirely incapable of pursuing.

Come nightfall, representatives of the French parlay with Archduke Louis and the two armies come to terms. 26,000 French lay down their arms though it would eventually be repatriated. The French Army of the Alps is surrendered.