 Archduke Charles, brother of the Austrian Emperor, had started to reform the Austrian army in 1801 by taking away power from the "Hofkriegsrat" (Aulic Council), the military-political council responsible for decision making in the Austrian armed forces.Charles was Austria's best field commander, but he was unpopular with the royal court and lost much influence when, against his advice, Austria decided to go to war with France.Karl Mack became the new main commander in Austria's army, instituting reforms on the infantry on the eve of war that called for a regiment to be composed of four battalions of four companies rather than the older three battalions of six companies.