Achievements of Cavalry by Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood V.C. G.C.B. G.C.M.G

Author:Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood V.C. G.C.B., G.C.M.G.
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781908902856
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2013-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

NOS. VII. AND VIII.—CUSTOZA, June, 1866.

VII. On the Western flank of the line of battle, an Austrian squadron, in order to relieve an overpowered infantry brigade, attacks an Italian brigade of five battalions, and surprising it while in column of route, drives it back in confusion, taking two guns.

VIII. On the Eastern flank of the battle-field, two Austrian cavalry brigades attack two divisions, and though repulsed, arrest all day the advance of thirty-six Italian battalions.

WHILE the Prussian armies were defeating the Austrians under the command of Field-marshal von Benedek, in Bohemia, the Archduke Albrecht, with some 70,000 men, gained a decided victory over 120,000 Italian troops, between Verona and Peschiera. Austria was obliged, from the political circumstances of the time, to mobilize two groups of armies, and at the extreme opposite ends of her frontiers. The greater part of her strength was naturally stationed in the more important sphere; but the force under the Archduke Albrecht had the advantage of a strong position which is well-known under the name of the “Quadrilateral”

For the purpose of these studies we may omit all consideration of the country bordering the Lower Po, and the force under General Cialdini, as, owing to a rise in the river, he was unable to advance, and our consideration need therefore be given only to the hilly rugged country lying between the Mincio and the flat plain which extends immediately to the North and East of the town of Villafranca.{40}

The former district, which, on account of its strategical and tactical value, has been the scene of many combats, is in itself peculiar. While hilly, the slopes of the heights, with a few exceptions, are not generally steep, nor are any of them inaccessible. It is traversed by a number of metalled roads in good order, and by many field-tracks and footpaths. There are numerous farms, both on the high and low ground, generally well built, with walls surrounding them. If we except some waste land covered by thornbush and copses, we may say that the country is well cultivated, although from its dry and arid nature there is little or no pasture. There are some vineyards, but most of the fields are sown with Indian corn, and studded with thick rows of mulberry trees. As many of the hills are about the same elevation, it is difficult to see far, even from their higher slopes. The river Tione, which rises a little to the North of the Peschiera-Castelnuovo road, runs due South, parallel to that road as far as Oliosi, the heights of which turn it to the Southeast. At the time of the battle there was but little water in it, but the depth of the bed, and the steepness of its bank between Oliosi and Custoza, rendered it an obstacle of some importance. The Eastern slopes of this hilly country sink abruptly into an almost flat plain near Somma Campagna in the North, and between Custoza and Villafranca in the South. The plain itself, on which the town of Villa-franca (containing 7000 inhabitants) stands, is highly cultivated.

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