Battle of Ceva
The Montenotte Campaign began on the 10th of April when Feldzeugmeister Johann Beaulieu's Austrian army attacked the extreme right flank of General of Division Napoleon Bonaparte's army near Genoa. Bonaparte launched a successful counterattack on the 12th of April at the Battle of Montenotte. On the 13th of April, MG Augereau's reinforced division defeated part of Colli's Sardinian army at the Battle of Millesimo. In the Second Battle of Dego on 14 and the 15th of April, the Austrians were defeated again. While Beaulieu reorganized his badly shaken army at Acqui Terme to the northeast, Bonaparte prepared to increase the separation between the Piedmontese from their Austrian allies by driving Colli farther to the west. On the 15th of April, Colli assembled a force on high ground at Montezemolo in order to cover the fortress of Ceva. Meanwhile, MG Jean Sérurier's division advanced from Ormea north toward Ceva along the Tanaro River valley. Fearing he might be cut off from Ceva, the Piedmontese commander fell back to the fortress. Marching from the east, Augereau occupied Montezemolo early on the 16th of April, then his division moved north and west in an attempt to outflank Ceva.
In 1796, the fortress loomed over the north side of Ceva. The Sardinians deployed atop a ridge that runs from the fortress north about seven kilometers to the hamlet of La Pedaggera, where the modern SP 661 and SP 32 intersect. Sardinian and Austrian engineers had fortified the ridge, which overlooks the Bovina stream, with a series of redoubts. General Brempt held the north end of the line with several Piedmontese battalions plus the Austrian Belgioso Infantry Regiment # 44. Vital defended the south end of the line with nine battalions, and General Count di Tornaforte commanded the three battalions in the fortress. This defensive arrangement created a strong position overlooking the surrounding terrain.
Augereau's division formed several columns under General of Brigade Martial Beyrand and BG Barthélemy Joubert. Two French columns pressed home their attacks on Brempt's left flank while one column assaulted Vital's position near Mondoni in the center. The Sardinians repelled all attacks on the ridge. Augereau assaulted the strong defensive position without success. The coordinated effort by multiple brigades failed to break the entrenched lines despite numerical advantages. The failure marked a significant tactical setback for the French forces attempting to advance westward.
That evening Sérurier camped within sight of Ceva, threatening to turn the southern flank of the Sardinian line. On the northern flank, Brempt reported that he might be cut off if attacked again. Though they had won a defensive success, the mood of the Piedmontese generals was gloomy and they recommended a retreat. That night, Colli held a council of war in which he decided to withdraw most of the army west behind the Corsaglia River, leaving Tornaforte with one battalion to hold Ceva fortress. Some units were sent northwest to Cherasco to prevent the French from cutting between Colli and the Piedmontese capital of Turin. This decision prioritized preserving the main army over holding the fortified positions.
Augereau occupied the abandoned Sardinian positions on the 17th of April. Bonaparte decided to mask the fortress with a force under BG Jean Rusca and continue to press the Piedmontese back on Cuneo. The French lost about 600 men killed and wounded. Brempt reported a loss of 150 while Vital's casualties are unknown. The Sardinians won another rear guard action at San Michele Mondovi on the 19th of April. This was followed by the decisive French victory at the Battle of Mondovì on the 21st of April. The human cost of the battle remained relatively low compared to other engagements, yet it set the stage for further conflict in the region.
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Common questions
What happened during the Battle of Ceva in 1796?
The Sardinian army repelled all French attacks on a fortified ridge near Ceva on the 16th of April. Augereau's division failed to break the entrenched lines despite having numerical advantages and multiple columns attacking different points.
Who commanded the Sardinian forces at the fortress of Ceva?
General Count di Tornaforte commanded three battalions inside the fortress while General Brempt held the north end of the defensive line with Piedmontese battalions and the Austrian Belgioso Infantry Regiment #44. Vital defended the south end of the line with nine battalions.
When did the Battle of Ceva take place during the Montenotte Campaign?
French forces under Augereau assaulted the Sardinian positions early on the 16th of April 1796. The Sardinians withdrew most of their army west behind the Corsaglia River that same night after holding a council of war.
Where were the Sardinian defensive positions located relative to Ceva?
Sardinian troops deployed atop a ridge running from the fortress north about seven kilometers to the hamlet of La Pedaggera where the modern SP 661 and SP 32 intersect. This position overlooked the Bovina stream and included redoubts fortified by engineers.
How many casualties did each side suffer in the Battle of Ceva?
The French lost about 600 men killed and wounded during the failed assaults. Brempt reported a loss of 150 men while Vital's casualties remain unknown according to historical records.