Battle of Spigno 15 April 1796



The Austrian plan was simple: use the Grenzers and hussars to delay the French advance and pull the heavy infantry battalions across the Bormida and retreat in good order to the north.

 The screening force would hold the bridge west of Spigno as long as possible. As always, withdrawing in the face of the enemy would be a challenge, particularly when faced with a French force that outnumbered them three to one. Furthermore French morale was high as they had been advancing all week and had not lost an engagement.

The Austrians deployed a squadron and of hussars and a battalion of Grenzers facing each French brigade. Their fusilier battalions were drawn up in march column and ordered to head across the river Bormida.

The French drew up the lead demi-brigade in ordere mixte on both axes of advance with the following demi-brigade in assault column. 
Rusca's Brigade South West of Spigno

Serieur confers with Bonaparte as Austrian cavalry approach his brigade west of Spigno
Austrian Hussars press home their charge against a French disordered square: French nerve held and the cavalry were repulsed


The Austrian fusilier battalions demonstrated commendable discipline as they marched for the bridge...



 The French attack was carried out with elan however, and one Grenzer battalion broke as failed to evade a French battalion charging in assault column. The hussars meanwhile had inflicted some delay by forcing the French to form square but heavy fire took its toll and both squadrons were soon shaken. General Lipthay gallantly rallied one squadron and was about to lead it against the enemy in a last ditch charge when he was fatally wounded in a hail of fire that broke the hussars.

Rusca drove his men on and two of his battalions caught the rearmost Austrian battalion crossing the bridge in march column. Six hits were inflicted - the dreaded Pink Die of Death indicates the damage - and the battalion broke!

 The forward battalion raced for the safety of Spigno and immediately deployed to defend the town. Seeing that he had no hope of reaching safety, and despairing of losing more of his men's lives, General Beaulieu ordered what remained of the Grenzers and Hussars on the left bank of Bormida to surrender.

Seen from Spigno, the French are deployed to attack the town as Beaulieu surrenders on the other side of the river.

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