Historical Note
The first battle of Castiglione was fought on 3 August, 1796 between Augereau's Division of 9,000 men, Kilmaine's Cavalry Division of 1,500 men and Lipthay's Brigade of 3,700 men. Arriving in support of Lipthay was Schübirz's Brigade of 2,200 men. The main Austrian army arrived late in the day finally stopping the French advance.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
Field Marshal Count Dagobert Sigismond de Wurmser :
The main army is in Goito about a twelve hour march south of Castiglione. You have ordered
them to break camp at 3:00am and march from there to Guidizzolo (about half way to Castiglione).
Lipthay is ordered to march west to Montechiaro. Schübirz is to cover the army’s right flank.
General Baron Anton Lipthay :
Just as you are preparing to march off at about 3:30am your scouts inform you French
infantry are approaching from the west and the south. Due to the darkness they could not
estimate the size of the force. You have decided to hold your ground or at least delay
the French until the main army arrives. It is now 4:00am 3 August 1796. Where are your
troops and what orders do your commanders have? For a detailed
Order of Battle click HERE.
Général Pierre-Francois-Charles Augereau :
Yesterday Bonaparte ordered you to attack the center of the Austrian army in Castiglione
while the rest of the army moves away from you to attack other parts of the Austrian army.
Your troops departed Montechiaro at 2:00am on 3 August, 1796. You did not move directly
on Castiglione but took a southern approach. You have detached 51st DB Ligne (Robert) to approach
Castiglione from the east and the 69th DB Ligne (Pelletier) from the west. The 45th and the 22nd
Chasseurs are in reserve under your direct command. Your scouts have estimated there are
about 5,000 Austrians around Castiglione. It’s now 6:00am and Kilmaine's troops have
still not arrived. What orders do your commanders have? For a detailed Order of Battle
click HERE
Castiglione - August 3, 1796 : After Action Report
Augereau apparently convinced Bonaparte on 2 August that he could hold the main Austrian army at Castiglione. This would allow Bonaparte time to destroy other Austrian forces before turning his attention to the main army.
Augereau's troops were on the march before 2:00am. His main force was south of Castiglione by 6:00am. Robert with the 51st DB Ligne was also in position at this time to the east of Castiglione. Pelletier with the 69th DB Ligne arrived at 6:30am from the north.
Pelletier was ordered to attack Castiglione from the north. Robert was ordered to attack Castiglione Castle from the east. Augereau would take the main body past Fonile Dei Beschi and attack both the castle and Castiglione from the south.
Lipthay's troops were preparing to march off to Montechiaro at 3:30am when his scouts informed him that French troops were advancing from the west and south. This indicated to him that he was under attack. He sent messages to both Schübirz and Wurmser.
Determined to delay the French as long as he could he deployed his forces as follows; IR#13 1st Bn in Fonile Dei Beschi, half of the IR#13 2nd battalion in Fontane with the 6-pdr guns and the other half in the village west of Fontane, IR#13 3rd battalion in Grole, IR#8 in Castiglione with the 12-pdr guns, the Grenzers were in the village west of Castiglione, the cavalry was broken up to cover the open areas between the villages.
Robert was surprised that he did not encounter any enemy troops and took the castle at 7:00am without firing a shot. Pelletier had a more difficult time. As soon as he unlimbered his 6-pdr guns to shell Castiglione, Lipthay replied with his 12-pdrs. The firepower of these heavy guns was overwhelming. They not only managed to destroy the French 6-pdrs but also forced the 2nd battalion of the 69th DB Ligne back with a loss of 100 men.
Augereau's troops moved onto the field in a three pronged attack. The right moving east, the center and left moved east and west of Fonile Dei Beschi. They quickly forced IR#13 out of Fonile Dei Beschi and the village to the east. The Erdody Hussars noticing the temporary disorder of the French commenced a series of charges. After forty minutes the 2nd squadron of Hussars was routed from the field but three French battalions and two sections of guns were also gone.
Lipthay who was in Castiglione decided at about 7:30am that he would ride to the castle where he could get a better view of the battlefield. He was almost killed when a couple of French fusiliers fired at him. Shocked and horrified he quickly turned his mount about and rode with all haste back to Castiglione.
Now knowing he was caught in a vice Lipthay ordered a withdrawal at 8:00am to Fontane. The Grenzers moving off at 8:30am found themselves confronted by two battalions of Grenadiers. The Grenzers formed into line and advanced. They managed to attack each of the battalions one at a time forcing both of them to fall back with 200 men lost.
Sporadic fighting continued for the next hour but by 9:40am Augereau could see that his command was disorganized. In order to consolidate his forces he ordered a general movement towards Castiglione.
At 11:00am the 3rd battalion of the 17th DB Légère formed into column and charged the Grenzers west of Fontane. The attack was so intense the Grenzers broke and fled. By 11:30am it was clear that both forces were moving away from each other and the fighting ceased.
Castiglione 3 August 1796 Map:
Conclusion
Augereau's plan was a good one but it failed to measure up to the historical outcome. Looking closely at it you really can't find any great errors.
The success of the Austrians was due to Lipthay's placement of his cavalry in a forward position and the series of charges executed by their commanders. In the historical battle the cavalry was in reserve and helped to cover the withdrawal. What would have happened if the real Lipthay had performed like our players?
Since the Austrian performance was so much better then their historical counterparts, they get the nod for the day's victory!
