Battle of Castiglione
On the 4th of July, the formal siege of Mantua began. This fortress held by Joseph Franz Canto d'Irles's Austrian garrison and 179 cannons became the focal point of the War of the First Coalition in northern Italy. Napoleon Bonaparte positioned his 46,000 soldiers to protect this investment while Pierre François Sauret held Brescia and André Masséna guarded the northern approaches. The French army had forced the Papal States, Tuscany, Parma and Modena to make peace just weeks earlier. They extorted large contributions from these subdued cities to assemble their siege train. By taking artillery pieces from these conquered territories, the French general assembled a massive force for the operation. The town of Castiglione delle Stiviere sat south of Lake Garda, setting the stage for what would become a decisive confrontation.
Feldmarschall Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser devised a complex four-column plan of attack to break the French encirclement. He retained direct control over two central columns while delegating others to subordinates. Michael von Melas struck south with 14,000 soldiers down the west bank of the Adige River. Paul Davidovich led the 10,000 men of the Left-Center Column down the east bank. Peter Quasdanovich commanded the Right Column's 18,000 men operating west of Lake Garda. Johann Mészáros von Szoboszló lay at Vicenza with 5,000 troops of the Left Column. His orders were to occupy Verona and Legnago as soon as the French evacuated those cities. This strategy aimed to divide and conquer the French forces by converging on multiple points simultaneously.
On the 31st of July, Bonaparte retreated to the west bank of the Mincio and began concentrating against Quasdanovich. That evening Napoleon ordered Sérurier to lift the siege of Mantua. From the 31st of July through the 2nd of August, a complex series of operations occurred in the area of Brescia, Montichiari, Gavardo, Lonato del Garda and Salò. Bonaparte concentrated Augereau, Masséna, Despinoy, and Kilmaine to recapture Brescia on the 1st of August. He cleared his supply line to the west while Wurmser dropped off a force under General-major Adam Bajalics von Bajahaza to lay siege to Peschiera. The Austrian center columns reached Mantua where they spent time demolishing the French siege lines. When he realized Wurmser was not quickly following up his success, Napoleon decided to fight it out rather than retreat.
By the 5th of August, Wurmser had concentrated 20,000 soldiers at Castiglione including GM Josef Philipp Vukassovich's brigade from the Mantua garrison. Drawing up his army in two lines, he anchored his right flank on high ground near Solferino village. The Austrian left held Monte Medolano, a small hilltop crowned by a redoubt and some heavy guns. Bonaparte's forces had swollen to 22,500 in the divisions of Masséna and Augereau. While pinning Wurmser with a frontal attack, the French commander arranged for 5,000 men of Sérurier's division to smash into the Austrian left rear. Chef de battalion Auguste Marmont galloped his horse artillery up to point blank range and opened fire. Grenadiers then stormed the hill as Masséna and Augereau attacked in front.
After tough fighting, Wurmser ordered a retreat to avoid being enveloped. Weidenfeld's force arrived in time to help fend off an attempt by Masséna to get around the Austrian right flank. Covered by some cavalry led by GM Anton Schübirz von Chobinin, the Austrians managed to retreat across the Mincio at Borghetto that evening. In the battle, the Austrians suffered 2,000 killed and wounded plus 1,000 men and 20 cannons captured. The French probably lost between 1,100 and 1,500 men. Lipthay was severely wounded during the engagement. Determined not to let Wurmser remain near Mantua, Bonaparte feinted with Augereau's division against Borghetto before launching the real attack through Peschiera.
Historian David G. Chandler writes that the form of the battle proves beyond any doubt that Napoleon's master battle plan was already clear in his mind as early as 1796. In subsequent years he might polish and improve its technique especially the crucial matter of timing the successive stages. All the elements of the successful attacks carried out at Austerlitz, Friedland or Bautzen were already in existence and in operation at the battle of Castiglione. During this battle Napoleon experimented with the famous manoeuvre sur le derrières that would become the key for future success. The front lines would remain anchored around Mantua until its fall in February of 1797 marking the end of four months of rapid French advances across Northern Italy.
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Common questions
When did the Battle of Castiglione take place?
The Battle of Castiglione took place from the 31st of July through the 5th of August in 1796. This engagement occurred during the War of the First Coalition as Napoleon Bonaparte fought against Austrian forces.
Who commanded the Austrian army at the Battle of Castiglione?
Feldmarschall Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser commanded the Austrian army at the Battle of Castiglione. He devised a complex four-column plan to break the French encirclement of Mantua.
How many soldiers were involved in the Battle of Castiglione?
Napoleon Bonaparte led approximately 22,500 men while Feldmarschall Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser concentrated 20,000 soldiers for the battle. The Austrians suffered 2,000 killed and wounded plus 1,000 captured men along with 20 cannons.
Where was the main fighting located during the Battle of Castiglione?
The main fighting occurred near Castiglione delle Stiviere south of Lake Garda. Austrian forces anchored their right flank on high ground near Solferino village while holding Monte Medolano on their left.
Why is the Battle of Castiglione significant in military history?
Historian David G. Chandler states that Napoleon Bonaparte's master battle plan was already clear by 1796 during this engagement. Elements later used successfully at Austerlitz, Friedland, or Bautzen existed and operated here including the famous manoeuvre sur le derrières.