War Diary Italy 1796 Dego Campaign

French Diary

Orders issued as of midnight 9 April 1796

Situation: Austrian forces amounting to  divisional strength identified approaching Voltri from the east and north east in two columns:

Orders:

1.       Cervoni at first light and with all haste to retreat westwards from Voltri along the coast in the direction of Savona and link up with Massena who bring Dommartin’s and Joubert’s brigades.
2.       Massena to detach Meynier’s brigade which is to march in the direction of Pontivrea at maximum speed.
3.       Massena to march with Joubert and Dommartin’s brigades towards Sevona and link up with Cevoni’s brigade, assume command and defeat any Austrian pursuit.

No evidence of any movement by Piedmontese in the central region

1.       Augereau to march at maximum speed down the valley of the Bormida towards Cairo Mottenotte

Allied Diary

Orders issued as of midnight 9 April 1796

Situation: We are mounting a converging attack on the French right targeted at Voltri and Sevona (the latter via Pontivrea). The Piedmontese will hold on our right after securing Millesimo.

Orders

1.       General Beaulieu and his staff will depart Aqui and make haste for Mioglia
2.       General Felice to march to Millesimo
3.       Pittoni and Vukassovich are to probe towards Voltri, link up, clear the town and march towards Savona, engaging and defeating any enemy they encounter.

Situation afternoon 10 April

The French brigade commanded by Cervoni has been caught by an Austrian force led by Pittoni and Vukassovich west of Voltri on the road to Sevona and forced to give battle.

Two French brigades under Massena are half a day’s march from linking up with Cervoni.

 They will not reach him before nightfall but are marching to the sound of the guns.

Cervoni has delayed the Austrians in sharp engagement west of Voltri but at some expense. As night falls he has disengaged and is awaiting Massena.

A French brigade under Meynier is south of Pontivrea and will resume marching there tomorrow morning.

The French division commanded by Augereau has made good progress towards Cairo Montenotte and will reach the town by midday tomorrow at the latest.

The Piedmontese commanded by Felici have reached Millesimo and are resting there. News of this has reached the French and Bonaparte, who is still in Sevona, has activated Sérurier and his division in Loano who are preparing to move as soon as they receive orders.

French Diary

Orders issued as of midnight 10 April 1796

1.       Massena to assume command of Cervoni’s brigade that retreated from  Voltri and  immediately attack and defeat the Austrian column that is consolidating to the west of that place.

2.       Meynier to move to Pontivrea and halt there

3.       Bonaparte will move at maximum speed to Dego and assume overall command
4.       Augereau to move to Cairo/Montenotte and then on to take Dego with all haste

5.       La Harpe to support Augereau’s move on Dego with Menard’s brigade

6.       Sérurier to move down the valley of the Bormido towards in the direction of Cairo Montenotte and protect Augereau’s left flank against any hostile movement by the Piedmontese.

Allied Diary

Orders issued as of midnight 10 April 1796

1.         Lipthay to await the arrival of General Beaulieu and his staff from Aqui (he will arrive by midday) and then immediately march on Dego
2.         Pittoni and Vukassovich are to maintain the advance on Savona
3.         General Felice to consolidate at Millesimo



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