Napoleon's Campaigns in Italy — 1796-1797 and 1800 by Lt.-Colonel Reginald G. Burton

Author:Lt.-Colonel Reginald G. Burton [Burton, Lt.-Colonel Reginald G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, Napoleonic Wars, Europe, France, Spain & Portugal, Great Britain, General
ISBN: 9781908902351
Google: 7-NvCwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2012-05-01T04:57:06+00:00

CHAPTER VII - THE BATTLE OF ARCOLA

State of the French Army—Situation of the Austrians—Alvinzy —Austrian Plans—Movements of Davidovich—The French retire — Austrian Position — Situation of Napoleon — He attacks Alvinzy—Is driven back on Verona—Napoleon's Resolution—The Movement to Ronco—Arcola—Battle of Arcola, 15th November—16th November—17th November —Defeat of Alvinzy—Davidovich driven back—Politics and Administration—Comments

State of the French Army

THE fierce fighting of September, the pestiferous camp around Mantua, and the necessity of blockading that place with its large garrison had greatly reduced the French army, and left Napoleon with a field force of only some 24,000 men. He continued to demand reinforcements from the Directory, but received only five or six thousand men. He knew well his own weakness, but assumed a bold front to enemies and friends alike, threatening the Austrian Emperor with the destruction of his position on the Adriatic unless he made peace, while to his army he showed a confidence which he must have been far from feeling, but which formed a considerable factor of success.

Napoleon reached Verona on the 23rd October. He had timely information that the Austrians were gathering Situation of strength both in the Tyrol and on the Piave, the Austrians with a view to making a fresh effort to retrieve their fortunes. On the Rhine the Archduke Charles had met with some successes, and pushed back Moreau and Jourdan across that river, thus enabling the Austrian Emperor to transfer a portion of his forces to the Italian theatre of operations. By the end of October 28,000 Austrian troops were assembled on the Piave and Tagliamento, while Davidovich's army in the Tyrol, at the head-waters of the Adige, was increased to 20,000 men.

Alvinzy

The supreme command was entrusted to an officer of the old school, brave and obstinate, who had gained distinction in the Turkish wars. He was, however, too old, being over sixty years of age. As this campaign proved, and as all history teaches us, the younger commanders gained the greatest successes, and the old Austrian leaders were venerable creatures of routine, like those Prussian generals who shared in the debacle of Jena ten years later.

Alvinzy's Chief of the Staff, Weyrother, was reputed to be a scientific officer, but possessed a mind that worked in a narrow groove, and was unable to judge of the application of principles according to circumstances, and to analyse cause and effect. He failed in this campaign as he failed nine years later at Austerlitz, notwithstanding that he had at his disposal the experience of past Austrian disasters and French successes.

Austrian Plans

Alvinzy and the Chief of the Staff resolved to operate on two lines. From his headquarters in Friuli the Austrian marshal would cross the Piave and the Brenta, and march on Verona with 28,000 men; while Davidovich at the head of 20,000 advanced from Botzen down the valley of the Adige. Verona was chosen as the point of concentration of the two armies, from whence they could drive the French across the Mincio and relieve Mantua, from which Wurmser also could perhaps issue and co-operate.

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