Faced with the dazzling progress of Bonaparte's Army of Italy, the Austrians – after several lost engagements – retreated into Mantua. Not admitting defeat, they will do everything to deliver the city.
In Carnot's plan for the campaign of 1796, the army of Italy had to make up the figure. The initiative for the campaign came from the two armies stationed on the Rhine, that of Sambre-et-Meuse led by Jourdan and that of Rhine-et-Moselle under Moreau. Between them, they total 60,000 men. The Italian army, for its part, has barely 40,000. The rest is history.
On May 30, 1796, after the Battle of Borghetto (1) which saw the Army of Italy pierce the last line of defense of the Austrians, Colli and his 5,000 men entrenched themselves in Mantua, the only city that still remained in the hands of the Austrians. Austrians in Northern Italy. To welcome them is General Canto d'Yrles (2) and his approximately 12,500 men. Moreau and Jourdan are still in a waiting position on the Rhine and will not leave until the next day, May 31.
On June 4, the blockade of Mantua began. Sérurier's 7,900 men plan to take the city quickly. They will be disillusioned. The marshy nature of the terrain surrounding the city as well as the resolution of its defenders made life difficult for the besiegers. Furthermore, in the last days of June, the army of Rhine-et-Moselle finally began to move. But too late to prevent the Austrian Aulic Council from detaching 30,000 men commanded by Marshal Würmser from the Army of the Haut-Rhin and, from Trento, directing them towards Italy, thus bringing the forces against Bonaparte to 50,000. Outnumbered, Bonaparte found himself obliged to recall Sérurier from Mantua, because he knew that Würmser would try to unblock the place, despite the arrival of the siege cannons made available after the capitulation of the castle of Milan on June 29.
To block the road to Würmser, Bonaparte sent Sauret's 4,000 men to Salò, on the western shore of Lake Garda; Masséna took position at La Corona with 7,500 men. They block the path to the Adige. Despinois is at Peschiera and Augereau with 8,000 men at Legnago, the reserve (6,000 men) located between the center and the right.
The “Italian quadrilateral”
Since June 4, Mantua has been besieged by the troops of Sérurier, Augereau, Dallemagne, and Lannes as well as by the cavalry of Kilmaine. For the Austrian aulic council, the possibility of the loss of the city is inconceivable. Because Mantua is part of the “Italian quadrilateral”, a defensive ensemble organized around four localities: Verona and Legnago on the Adige, Mantua of course, and Peschiera on the Mincio. These four positions are a fundamental lock on the Austrian lines of communication, across the Adige valley and the Tyrol. So if Mantua falls, there is a risk of a French offensive towards the Austrian capital, which the Aulic council wants to avoid at all costs.
Legnago and Peschiera are small fortifications intended to constitute bridgeheads not requiring large garrisons. Verona has a large enclosure along the Adige and various detached forts. It is a city of great value because, with its numerous bridges and its citadel, it can assume its defense. Mantua has an enclosure on the west bank of the Mincio and enjoys a particular location, the Mincio forming, at the foot of the city, a lake that encircles the city and leaves only a small part of its perimeter to defend. The east bank of the Mincio is connected to the town by two large bridges and causeways, one of which runs north and ends in a permanent fort – the citadel – which forms a bridgehead. The southwest of the town is accessible across fields but is protected by important fortifications.
The Adige between Verona and Legnago presents a serious obstacle, impassable, rapid, and more than a hundred meters wide. The Mincio is as wide as the Adige and is only passable during the summer months.
Brescia is about 48 km from Verona, Peschiera is 27, Villanova is 20 and Vicenza is 48 km east of Verona, as is Legnago.
Military situation
After the retreat of Beaulieu following the defeat of Lodi, Bonaparte appointed Sauret to command the troops west of Lake Garda, while Vaubois was at the head of a division of the Army of the Alps. Masséna is assigned the task of covering the forces besieging Mantua. With the 4,000 men of Sauret's division, he guarded the roads west of Lake Garda and, with his division of 15,000 men, he occupied a space between Lake Garda and the Adige around Ronco. A French garrison occupies Verona. The rest, under Sérurier, is around Mantua while Augereau keeps the Adige around Legnago. To be able to reduce the citadel of Mantua, orders were sent to Nice and Cuneo to receive siege artillery.
On June 30, the citadel of Milan surrendered to General Despinois who sent three demi-brigades to join the army of Italy, leaving a small garrison in the city under the orders of Sahuguet. On July 6, Bonaparte informed the Directory that Wurmser, the new Austrian commander-in-chief, was at Trent, with 49,000 men, while he had only 44,000 men: Masséna 15,000, Sauret 4,500, Augereau 5,000, Despinois 5,500, Kilmaine 2,000 and Sérurier 10,000. Not included in these numbers are the 2,000 men of the Despinois division in Bergamo.
Sauret's troops are in Salò, Gavardo, and Desenzano with a small detachment in Brescia. Masséna had outposts at Torre del Benaco, La Corona, and the Adige Valley, a strong reserve at Rivoli, a garrison at Verona, and a demi-brigade along the river around the city. Despinois has a demi-brigade on the Adige between Masséna and Augereau and another in Peschiera. As for Augereau, he occupied Legnago and guarded the river upstream and downstream. Kilmaine, with the cavalry reserve, is located near Villafranca.
At this moment, Bonaparte made an error of judgment. He believed that the roads west of Lake Garda were impassable for large units and waited for the Austrians between the Adige and Lake Garda or for them to cross the river at Verona. Throughout July, he tried, in vain, to take Mantua by surprise, using small boats to cross the lake which surrounded the fortress.
The siege guns finally arrived on July 18. The first parallel is open and the head of engineering promises to reduce the place in twenty days. The arrival of Wurmser will upset his plans.
The five-day campaign
Wurmser planned to attack the French line with three columns. A first, of four mixed brigades – 18,000 men – under Quasdanovitch, must descend from Lake Idro (45 km east of Lake Garda) and attack the French positions west of Lake Garda. A central column of 24,000 men, commanded by Wurmser himself, was to go to the Adige on each side of Monte Baldo – 15,000 from the west of the river and 9,000 from the east. The third column, composed of an infantry brigade and a cavalry brigade, i.e. 5,000 men, placed under Meszaros, must move through the Brenta valley and Vicenza to retake Verona and Legnago once evacuated by the French.
On July 29, in the early hours of that day, the Austrian central column attacked the Joubert brigade (Masséna division), at La Corona, pushing it back to Rivoli. Sauret, who formed the left wing of the army, was attacked by a brigade of Quasdanovitch in Salò and he too had to withdraw to Desenzano. A second Austrian group defeated the French forces at Gavardo, forcing them there too to retreat to Salò and take refuge in the old castle which was invested. Quasdanovich's other brigades headed towards Brescia where they entered the next day, while an Austrian brigade reached Chiese at Ponte San Marco, on the Lonato road.
For Bonaparte who, despite successive setbacks, is still master of the Mincio line, the hours that follow will be crucial for the outcome of the campaign. Thanks to its device, it can be worn either on the right or on the left of the river. But what he must do is first defeat one of the two armies before they join up south of Lake Garda and then march, united, on Mantua. The first that Bonaparte must beat is Quasdanovitch because he is the one who is the most advanced. Then, from Wurmser, he will do his business. However, to execute this plan, he must bring everyone together. Reason why he decided – reluctantly – to lift the siege of Mantua, abandoning one hundred and forty cannons there, due to lack of cavalry to tow them.
On the night of July 30 to 31, Bonaparte decided on his plan. He orders Sauret to go to Salò to rescue the Guieu brigade and drive out Quasdanovitch. At the same time, the Dallemagne cavalry brigade marched on Lonato to confront the Austrian vanguards of Ocksay who, in the confrontation, lost five hundred prisoners and a large number of wounded and killed. In the evening, the Masséna division took up position between Lonato and Ponte San Marco, on the road to Brescia, approximately 17 km southeast of this city. Defeated, Quasdanovitch retreated to Gavardo (28 km northeast of Brescia), while Augereau arrived in Brescia where his vanguard encountered an enemy column that was leaving the city and dispersed it.
Wurmser entered Mantua on July 31 where he remained until August 2, the date on which, learning of Quasdanovich's failures at Salò, Lonato, and Brescia, he decided to leave the city and hasten his junction with the latter and to push his vanguards towards Castiglione.
For the army of Italy, this village is of the greatest importance because it prevents the reunion of the two Austrian armies. Bonaparte then entrusted General Valette's 1,800 men with the mission of defending the place at all costs. Unfortunately, seeing the first enemy elements arriving, Valette abandoned the place with half of his force and retreated to Monte Chiaro, 10 km northeast of Castiglione. This city being occupied by Wurmser, Quasdanovitch recaptures Salò from Guieu but a counter-offensive by the latter, supported by the rest of the Sauret division, deprives the Austrian of a victory. Worse, Quasdanovitch sees himself pushed back on Gavardo.
On August 3, after the recapture of Salò, the French now found themselves in the presence of two enemy armies: on their left, that of Quasdanovitch, and, on their right, that of Wurmser. For Bonaparte who, let us remember, does not have numerical superiority, it is essential to repel these forces, but one after the other to maintain, in the face of each, numerical superiority.
At dawn, at Lonato, the vanguard of Masséna's division was attacked by Quasdanovitch who took General Digeon prisoner and captured three cannons. Junot, at the head of the company of the general's guides, charges the enemy and drives them back towards Desenzano, forcing them to withdraw to Salò, while Augereau marches towards Castiglione, therefore occupied by Wurmser. After an engagement that lasted all day, the village was retaken by the French in the evening. Further north, Salò was, for the third time, recaptured by the French from the Guieu brigade.
However, although defeated, neither Quasdanovitch nor Wurmser were definitively beaten. For Bonaparte, it was above all necessary to get rid of the first before turning against the second.
On August 4, Quasdanovitch's Austrian right was attacked at Mount San Osetto, about 10 km from Lake Garda, forcing it to withdraw towards the north, by a column from Brescia, while Dallemagne, arriving from Lonato, with his cavalry brigade, advances to Gavardo, some 5 km from Lake Garda. As for the Austrian left, it was attacked and found itself battling the Guieu brigade, which had left from Salò. Hit on both flanks, Quasdanovtich evacuates Gavardo and withdraws towards the north, thus freeing Bonaparte who can now devote his forces to beating Wurmser. The battle will be decisive and will be fought the next day, August 5.
The battle
At daybreak, the French army prepares for the attack. On the Austrian side, Wurmser can count on 14'51 men around Solferino. Facing him, in two lines, Augereau's 8,000 men. The cavalry reserve is estimated at 1,200 men, after the heavy fighting of the previous days. It is deployed in echelons from the right of Augereau to the Brescia road. The 10,000 men of Masséna's division occupied the left wing and were placed in a single line. Sérurier and his 5,000 men are around Guidizzolo. Despinois, in Brescia, received orders to return to the battlefield as quickly as possible. With him, there will be 24,000 French people present in Castiglione.
Bonaparte then wanted to destroy the Austrian center. To this end, he sent the Sérurier division and its 4,878 men to attack the Austrian rear. However, for this movement to have its effect, it must hold them back as long as possible. And, to distract the Austrians from this movement, the attack must take place as soon as possible, but not before Fiorella (who replaces the sick Sérurier) has reached Guidizzolo. The Fiorella division, in place from 6 a.m., therefore formed, with the main force, a right angle within which the Austrian army was enclosed.
On the Austrian side, Wurmser placed his troops on two lines in front of the village of Solferino, his left-leaning on the Medolano hillock where a redoubt was erected.
The Austrian center was then attacked by the 4th line demi-brigade from Augereau's left, while Masséna took care of the right wing. This offensive is easily blocked by the Austrians and their right-wing tries to bypass Masséna's right wing towards Castel Venzago. The extension of the Austrian positions was Bonaparte's objective. He therefore sent Marmont with twelve cannons to deploy them on the flank of the Austrian redoubt of Monte Medolano which, after a lively engagement, was conquered by the troops of General Verdier, with three battalions of grenadiers supported by a regiment of mounted hunters. Routed, the defenders were pursued by Beaumont's light cavalry.
Bonaparte can now launch the general attack. In the center and on the left, Masséna, who had remained immobile until then, moved forward again against the Austrian right; Despinois entered the line on his left and Augereau approached the center with an objective for his 4th demi-brigade: the tower of Solferino. On the spot, it encountered strong opposition and it required the reinforcement of General Bertin's 5th demi-brigade and its 1,700 men, commanded by Leclerc, to overcome the enemy resistance. On the right, Marmont and Beaumont overflow the line towards San Cassiano and head towards Cavriana to join Fiorella.
Wurmser, who was not aware of Fiorella's flank attack, saw himself threatened with being surrounded and almost being taken in his headquarters by a squadron of the 7th hussars (Kilmaine division).
At 2 p.m., Masséna sets foot on the heights of Solferino. Thus, he can turn the enemy right. Augereau and Kilmaine push back the center: Fiorella advances on Cavriana, threatening Wurmser's line of retreat towards the Mincio. The latter, after hesitating for a long time, and giving in to the urgings of his generals, decides to retreat under the protection of the cavalry which must confront Beaumont and Fiorella. Despite everything, the retreat took place in good order; the main one reaches Valeggio, the right-wing heading towards Peschiera, under the protection of Bajalich, and cuts the bridges behind it.
After eight hours of combat, the pursuit of the Austrians proved impossible. Masséna stops at Pozzolengo and Augereau at Castellaro.
Around 5 p.m., the battle ended. But it didn't solve anything because Wurmser was able to escape. The reason for this half-success is linked to the fact that Fiorella arrived earlier than expected on the battlefield, thus allowing the Austrians to slip through the cracks of the net that Bonaparte was preparing to offer them, thus imprisoning all the Wurmser's army.
This battle resolves nothing. The siege of Mantua resumed on August 27 and the Austrians will try again to deliver the city, without further success, since they will be beaten on numerous occasions – Bassano on September 8, 1796, Arcole from November 15 to 17, and finally Rivoli on January 14 and 15, 1797. On February 2, 1797, Mantua finally capitulated.
(1) Locality in Veneto, on the Mincio, 28.5 km northeast of the capital.
(2) Joseph Franz Count Canto d'Yrles was born in 1726 in Vienna, although of Scottish descent. In 1745, he joined the 15th “Pallacivini” infantry regiment as standard bearer. Then, he participated in the battles of Prague (May 6, 1757) and Breslau (November 22). In 1762, he was promoted to captain and distinguished himself at the Battle of Teplitz, which earned him promotion to lieutenant colonel and commander of a grenadier battalion. After the War of the Bavarian Succession. He was promoted to colonel and fought with his regiment in all the battles against the Turks (1787-1792). After his promotion to the rank of field marshal-lieutenant, he was appointed commander of the fortress of Mantua. When Wurmser made his first attempt to liberate the fortress in August, and Bonaparte was forced to evacuate the siege batteries and the artillery train, Canto d'Yrles destroyed the siege works and seized the artillery. The siege of the place lasted until February 2, 1797, when it surrendered to the French. Although his health was not ruined, he nevertheless died a few weeks later, in 1797, in Warasdin (Croatia).
Order of battle of the Army of Italy on July 29, 1796
1st division
Blockade of Mantua, General Sérurier, Roverbella 7,900 men
Pelletier Brigade: 2,590 men
45th Demi-Brigade, San Antonio 1,082 men
1st and 2nd battalions, of the 69th demi-brigade, La Favorita 1,048 men
5 cp of the 1st battalion of the 25th demi-brigade, La Favorita 460 men
Fiorella Brigade 2,246 men
19th Demi-Brigade, Cerese 1,722 men
3rd bat of the 69th demi-brigade, La Favorita 524 men
Serviez Brigade: 2,082 men
12th Light Demi-Brigade, Cerese 1,376 men
8th Dragoon Regiment, Cerese 160 men
6th Sapper Battalion, Cerese 546 men
4 cannons of 8, 3 howitzers of 6, and 4 cannons of 12
2nd division
General Augereau, Legnago 4,410 men
Beyrand Brigade 2,530 men
4th demi-brigade, Legnago 2,285 men
22nd regiment of hunters, Legnago 245 men
Robert Brigade 2,125 men
51st demi-brigade, Ronco 2,125 men
3 cannons of 8, 3 howitzers of 6, and 1 cannon of 12
3rd division
General Despinois, Peschiera 3,972 men
Bertin Brigade 2,259 men
5th demi-brigade, Peschiera 2,259 men
Cervoni Brigade 1,190 men
39th demi-brigade, Zevio 1,190 men
Guillaume Brigade 523 men
3 cp of the 5th demi-brigade, Peschiera 300 men
5th sapper battalion, Peschiera 186 men
Cavalry detachments, Peschiera 37 men
1 cannon of 8 with 2 caissons and 1 howitzer of 6 with 2 caissons
4th division
General Masséna, Bussolengo 14,925 men
Joubert Brigade: 3,224 men
Carabineers of the 11th Light Demi-Brigade, La Corona 129 men
Carabineers of the 22nd Light Demi-Brigade, La Corona 269 men
Grenadiers of the 18th demi-brigade, La Corona 409 men
4th Light Demi-Brigade, La Corona 1,387 men
11th light demi-brigade, Preabocco, 1,030 men
Valette Brigade: 2,507 men
18th light demi-brigade, Pazzone 2,507 men
Victor Brigade 3,362 men
2nd battalion of the 11th demi-brigade, Bussolengo 722 men
18th demi-brigade, Bussolengo 2,640 men
Beaumont Brigade 264 men
15th Dragoon Regiment, Sega 264 men
Rampon Brigade 1,674 men
17th Light Demi-Brigade, Verona: 1,261 men
1 bat of the 22nd light demi-brigade, Verona 413 men
Germany Brigade 3,894 men
32nd demi-brigade, Verona 2,645 men
1st battalion of the 11th demi-brigade, Verona 1,040 men
25th Hunter Regiment, Verona 209 men
5th division
General Sauret, Salò 6,509 men
Rusca Brigade 2,956 men
29th Light Demi-Brigade, Termini 1,386 men
27th light demi-brigade (Allobroges), Gazzano 1,030 men
3rd bat of the 11th demi-brigade, Gavardo 540 men
Guieu Brigade 1,153 men
27th Light Demi-Brigade, Salò 1,153 men
Gautier Division – 2,400 men
4 cp of the 1st battalion of the 25th demi-brigade, Brescia 400 men
1 squadron of the 24th hunter regiment, Brescia 100 men
2nd and 3rd battalions of the 25th demi-brigade, Iseo 1,900 men
2 guns of 4
6th Reserve Division
General Kilmaine, Valese 2,702 men
Cavalry: 1,902 men
2 squadrons of the 5th Dragoon Regiment, Valese 146 men
20th Dragoon Regiment, Valese: 351 men
10th Hunter Regiment, Valese 430 men
3 squadrons of the 24th Hunter Regiment, Valese 271 men
3 squadrons of the 1st Hussar Regiment, Valese 358 men
7th bis hussar regiment, Valese 346 men
Grenadiers 800 men
5th Grenadier Regiment (of the 85th Demi-Brigade), Valese 421 men
6th Grenadier Regiment (of the 63rd Demi-Brigade), Valese 294 men
7th Grenadier Regiment (of the 39th Demi-Brigade), Valese 85 men
Dommartin, artillery
4 cannons of 8 with 15 caissons and 3 howitzers of 6 with 7 caissons
Grand total: 33,905 men, 2,844 horses, 1,256 artillerymen and 732 sappers
Order of battle of the Imperial and Royal Army of Lombardy on July 29, 1796
1st column: Field Marshal-Lieutenant Quasdanovich
1st brigade, Major-General Ott 3,835 men
1st and 2nd battalions of the 10th “Kheul” infantry regiment: 2,099 men
1st battalion of the 53rd “Jellacic” infantry regiment: 1,008 men
2 cp of the 3rd combined battalion “Karlstadter” 400 men
2 squadrons of the 2nd “Erdòdy” hussar regiment 328 men
2 cannons of 6, a howitzer of 7, and 1/2 cp of pioneers
2nd Brigade, Major-General Ocskay 3,590 men
1st and 2nd battalions of the 34th “Esterhazy” infantry regiment: 2,077 men
3rd battalion of the 53rd infantry regiment “Jellacic” 1,007 men
2 cp “Mahony Jager” 337 men
1/4 squadron of the 1st Uhlans regiment “Meszaros” 169 men
2 cannons of 6, a howitzer of 7, and 1/2 cp of pioneers
3rd vanguard brigade, Colonel Klenau 1,345 men
1st battalion of the 37th infantry regiment “Devins”: 996 men
1 cp “Mahony Jager” 169 men
1 squadron of the 5th “Wurmser” hussar regiment: 180 men
2 cannons of 6, a howitzer of 7, and ½ cp of pioneers
Gros, Major-General Sporck 3,066 men
3rd battalion of the 59th infantry regiment “Jordis”: 647 men
Border battalion “l’Aisne” 3/4/46: 551 men
Gavasini Division 23/24/49 492 men
Kottulinsky Division 14/50/59 648 men
2 squadrons of the 5th “Wurmser” hussar regiment, 360 men
2 squadrons of the 2nd “Erdòdy” hussar regiment 368 men
4th vanguard brigade, Colonel Lusignan 1,458 men
1st battalion of the 14th RI “Klebek”: 940 men
2 cp “Mahony Jager” 337 men
1 squadron of the 5th “Wurmser” hussar regiment: 180 men
2 cannons of 6, a howitzer of 7, and ½ cp of pioneers
Gros, Major-General Reuss 4,384 men
2nd battalion of the 14th “Klebek” infantry regiment: 940 men
1st battalion of the 45th “Lattermann” infantry regiment: 789 men
1st and 2nd battalions of the 42nd RI “Erbach” – 1,935 men
4 squadrons of the 5th “Wurmser” hussar regiment: 720 men
2 cannons of 6 and a howitzer of 7
Reserve Artillery: 4 cavalry cannons of 6 and 2 cavalry howitzers of 7
Total: 15,372 men, 2,300 horses, 24 cannons
2nd column, field marshal-lieutenant Melas
1st Brigade, Major-General von Gummer 5,649 men
1st and 2nd battalions of the 19th “Alvinzy” infantry regiment: 1,170 men
1st and 2nd battalions of the 24th infantry regiment “Preiss” 2,068 men
1st and 2nd battalions of the 25th infantry regiment “Brechainville” 4 cp of the 3rd combined battalion “Karlstadter” 743 men
½ tsp of pioneers
2nd Brigade, Major-General Bajalich 3,677 men
1st, 2nd and 3rd battalions of the 26th Infantry Regiment “Schroder” 2,364 men
2nd Battalion of the 11th “Wallis” Infantry Regiment: 808 men
3 cp “Mahony Jager” 505 men
½ tsp of pioneers
3rd Brigade, Major-General von Nicoletti 2,532 men
2nd battalion of the 21st infantry regiment “Gemmingen” 985 men
3rd Battalion of the 23rd “Toskana” Infantry Regiment: 578 men
1st Battalion of the 40th RI “Mitrowsky” – 631 men
2 cp “Mahony Jager” 338 men
2 cannons of 6, 2 howitzers of 7, 2 cannons of 12
½ tsp of pioneers
4th brigade, Major-General Pittoni, 2,465 men
2nd and 3rd battalions of the 45th “Lattermann” infantry regiment: 985 men
2nd and 3rd battalions of the 27th “Strassoldo” infantry regiment: 752 men
2 squadrons of the 2nd “Erdody” hussar regiment 368 men
2 squadrons of the 5th “Wurmser” hussar regiment: 360 men
½ tsp of pioneers
Artillery Reserve
2 cannons of 3
4 guns of 6
4 howitzers of 6
4 guns of 12
2 cavalry cannons of 6
2 cavalry howitzers of 7
Total: 13,597 men, 727 horses and 24 cannons
3rd column, Field Marshal-Lieutenant Davidovitch
1st Brigade, Major-General Spiegel 2,653 men
1st Battalion of the 4th “Deutschmeister” Infantry Regiment: 641 men
2/3 3rd Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment “Reisky” 357 men
6 cp combined battalion “Sluizer”: 1,361 men
2 squadrons of the 4th “Archduke Joseph” hussar regiment: 294 men
½ tsp of pioneers
2nd Brigade, Major-General Mitrovsky 2,716 men
2nd Battalion of the 4th “Deutschmeister” Infantry Regiment 641 men
3rd Battalion of the 11th “Wallis” Infantry Regiment: 887 men
3rd battalion of the 10th “Kheul” infantry regiment: 1,024 men
Border battalion “Strassoldo” 164 men
4 cannons of 12, 2 howitzers of 7
½ tsp of pioneers
3rd brigade, Major-General Liptay, 3,253 men
1st and 2/3 2nd battalions of the 8th Infantry Regiment “Huff” 1,251 men
1st, 2nd and 1/3 of the 3rd battalion of the 13th “Reisky” infantry regiment: 1,250 men
1st battalion of the 43rd RI “Thurn” 752 men
2 cannons of 12 and 2 howitzers of 7
1 cp of pioneers
Cavalry, Major-General Schubirz 1,324 men
2 squadrons of the 4th “Archduke Joseph” hussar regiment: 294 men
4 squadrons of the 2nd “Erdody” hussar regiment 737 men
2 squadrons of the 1st “Meszaros” Uhlan regiment: 293 men
Artillery Reserve
6 guns of 3
12 cannons of 6
4 howitzers of 7
8 guns of 12
4th column, field marshal-lieutenant Meszaros 5,021 men
1st Brigade, Major-General Minkwitz
1st and 2nd battalions of the 56th infantry regiment “W. Colloredo” 1,244 men
3rd battalions of the 25th infantry regiment “Brechainville” 515 men
1st battalion of the 50th infantry regiment “Stein” 1,026 men
2nd Brigade, Prince Hohenzollern
6 cp of the combined battalion “Banat” 1,164 men
3 squadrons of the 4th “Archduke Joseph” hussar regiment: 486 men
4 squadrons of the 1st “Meszaros” Uhlan Regiment: 586 men
Artillery Reserve
4 guns of 6
2 howitzers of 7
4 guns of 12
Total: 3,949 men, 1,072 horses, 10 cannons
Total: 41,246 men, 5,722 horses and 1,800 artillerymen
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