The Italian campaigns of General Bonaparte, in 1796-7 and 1800

5 August 1796

Battle of Castiglione

THE AUSTRIANS ON THE MINCIO.

parte did intend to break through his enemy's line ; and it will be seen how craftily and how swiftly he executed his project He did not return to his head- quarters at Brescia until the 27 th of May. At that time his main force was in rear of that town; the right held back. On the 20th, Kilmaine, with the cavalry, was ordered to Castiglione, on the high-road from Brescia to Goito. Augereau stood at Ponte San Marco, on the left ; Massena, at Montechiaro ; while Serurier, on the right, was brought further forward. Thus disposed, Bonaparte seemed intent upon surprising Peschiera, and interposing between the Austrians and the Tyrol. But the movements of his right, which was studiously kept a day's march in the rear, were concealed from his enemy, who thus wanted that correct information without which neither a good chief nor a numerous soldiery cau prevail.

BONAPARTE AND WURMSER.

While Bonaparte was engaged in the Genoese territory and the Legations, Massena kept a strict watch on Beaulieu, with some 14,000 men. His chief had placed under his command seme of his best brigadiers, the accomplished Joubert, Rampon, daring and tenacious, and Victor, who, though some- times too confident, was a good officer. At this time, of all his comrades in arms, Bonaparte had the highest opinion of Massena. In writing to the Directory, Bonaparte said of him that he was active, indefatigable ; that he had audacity, coup-<Faril, and promptitude in deciding. Massena's task through- out June and July was to hold the forward position of Verona, and thus secure the line of the Adige. In order to do this effectually, he placed his outposts on both sides of the Lake of Garda, and occupied the famous position of La Corona above Rivoli, between the Adige and the Monte Baldo. Hi* head-quarters were at Castiglione, where he could the better watch the roads on both sides of the lake down which Austrian columns might advance ; and,

ARRIVAL OF WURMSER. 55

The French army, towards the end of July, was between the western shore of the Lake of Garda and the right bank of the Adige. Augereau was at Legnago, on the Adige, with 8,000 men; Massena held Verona, Rivoli, and La Corona, with 13,000 men ; Sauret, with some 5,000, was at Salo on the west of the Lake of Garda, covering the roads to Brescia and Lonato ; the reserve was at Castiglione, Villafranca, and Castelnuovo. Bonaparte gave ample instructions and warnings to all his officers, and Berthier himself assiduously reconnoitred the left of the French position, between the Lake of Garda and the Adige.

COMBAT AT RIVOLI.

upon Castiglione. The troops beyond the Po, ex- cept the garrison of Leghorn, were also recalled. In this moment, too, when he was scheming victory in his fertile brain, he was taking every precaution for a retreat And well might he cast a glance towards Cremona and Piacenza, when an enemy had seized Brescia, and had cut him off from Milan. One cannot but admire the daring, the decision, the soundness of Bonaparte's proceedings at this critical moment ; and the coolness of head and clearness of eye which made him estimate the evil tidings which poured in at their true value, and led him to hope that, if fortune seconded his exertions, he should yet snatch a triumph from his divided foes.