Battle of Rivoli
The morning of Saturday the 14th of January found Alvinczi engaging the division of Joubert. He had united three Austrian columns between Caprino on the right and the chapel of San Marco on the left. The brigade of Franz Josef de Lusignan was advancing to the north of Monte Baldo. The troops of Peter Vitus von Quosdanovich and Josef Philipp Vukassovich were pouring down the roads on either side of the Adige. Alvinczi planned to rush and overwhelm Barthélemy Joubert in the mountains east of Lake Garda by concentrating 28,000 men in five separate columns. This strategy aimed to gain access to the open country north of Mantua where Austrian superior numbers would be able to defeat Bonaparte's smaller Army of Italy. Joubert held him off with only 10,000 men before being joined by Louis-Alexandre Berthier. At 2 am on the 14th of January, Napoleon arrived to support Joubert's efforts to form a defensive line on favorable ground just north of Rivoli on the Trambasore Heights.
At 9 a.m., the Austrian brigades of Samuel Koblos and Anton Lipthay counterattacked the French forces on the Trambasore Heights. Another column under Prince Heinrich of Reuss-Plauen attempted to turn the French right via the Rivoli gorge. On the French right flank, Vukassovich had advanced down the east bank of the Adige and established batteries opposite Osteria. By about 11 a.m. the position of Bonaparte was becoming desperate as an Austrian column under Lusignan cut off his retreat south of Rivoli. To reopen his line of retreat Bonaparte turned to Massena's 18th Demi-brigade known as 'the Brave'. A battery of 15 French guns were massed and poured canister shot at point blank range into the advancing Austrian column emerging from the gorge. This devastating firepower struck first on the advancing Austrian dragoons who broke and stampeded through their own infantry causing mass chaos. Antoine Charles de Lasalle with just 26 horseman of the 22nd Horse Chasseurs charged into the melee. Lasalle's men captured a whole Austrian battalion and seized 5 enemy flags.
The French lost 3,200 killed and wounded and 1,000 captured during the engagement. The Austrians suffered 4,000 killed and wounded plus 8,000 men and 40 guns captured. One authority gives the French 5,000 total losses while another suggests the Austrians lost 14,000 men. The total losses exceeded two-thirds of the total number of the army for both sides. The next day Joubert and Rey began a successful pursuit of Alvinczi all but destroying his columns. The remnants fled north up into the Adige Valley in confusion. Gabriel Rey's division coming up from Castelnuovo and the brigade of Claude Victor began to arrive. They crushed the Austrian column of Lusignan who fled west with less than 2,000 men remaining. This destruction marked the effective end of Alvinczi's field force as an organized unit capable of further offensive operations.
After that Napoleon turned his attention to Giovanni di Provera whose corps had crossed north of Legnano on the 13th of January. At night on the 15th of January Provera sent a message to Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser to break out in a concerted attack. On the 16th of January when Wurmser attacked he was driven back into Mantua by Sérurier. The Austrians were attacked from the front by Masséna who had force marched from Rivoli and from the rear by the division of Pierre Augereau. They were thus forced to surrender the entire force. On the 2nd of February Mantua surrendered with its garrison of 16,000 men. All that remained of an army of 30,000 troops marched out with the 'honours of war' and laid down their arms. Wurmser with his staff and an escort were allowed to go free while the remainder were sent to Austria after swearing an oath not to serve against the French for a year. One thousand five hundred guns were found in the fortress.
On the 18th of February Bonaparte proceeded with 8,000 men to Rome determined to come to a settlement with the Papal States. Pope Pius VI agreed to an armistice dictated by Bonaparte in Tolentino. Snow had closed the Alpine passes but Austria still refused Bonaparte terms of a peace agreement. He prepared one last campaign to the east into the heartland of Austria to the gates of Vienna itself. The Rue de Rivoli a street in central Paris is named after the battle. This victory demonstrated Bonaparte's capability and deftness as a military commander. The French victory also led to the Austrian surrender of Mantua in February and French consolidation of northern Italy. Ultimately France achieved victory over Austria in the war later that year.
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Common questions
When did the Battle of Rivoli take place?
The Battle of Rivoli took place on the 14th of January 1797. Napoleon arrived to support Joubert's efforts at 2 am on that day, and Austrian counterattacks began by 9 a.m.
Who commanded the French forces during the Battle of Rivoli?
Napoleon Bonaparte commanded the French Army of Italy during the battle. He was supported by generals including Barthélemy Joubert, Louis-Alexandre Berthier, André Massena, Pierre Augereau, and Gabriel Rey.
What were the total losses for Austria in the Battle of Rivoli?
Austrian casualties included 4,000 killed and wounded plus 8,000 men captured along with 40 guns seized. One authority suggests the Austrians lost 14,000 men total, which exceeded two-thirds of their army strength.
How many troops did Alvinczi bring to the Battle of Rivoli?
Alvinczi concentrated 28,000 men into five separate columns to attack the French positions. His force included divisions under Franz Josef de Lusignan, Peter Vitus von Quosdanovich, and Josef Philipp Vukassovich.
Why is the Rue de Rivoli named after this battle?
The street in central Paris bears the name because Napoleon's victory demonstrated his capability as a military commander. The battle led directly to the Austrian surrender of Mantua and French consolidation of northern Italy.