Historical Note
Montenotte fought on 12 April 1796 was the first battle where Bonaparte was not only in command, but executed a battle plan that proved he was worthy of his position. Although he was planning an offensive the Austrians got the jump on him by executing their own. They made a three prong attack on the French in early April and the center column under Argenteau caught his attention when they failed to break through at Monte Negino (incorrectly referred to as Monte Legino by some sources).
Bonaparte believed Argenteau would fall back to the area around Montenotte that was just north of Monte Negino and sent Rampon to attack the left flank of the Austrians and La Harpe would conduct a frontal assault. Masséna would then attack the right flank.
An early morning fog played right into Bonaparte's hands. Masséna was able to attack and take Bric Castlas before Argenteau could even see him. Realizing his right flank was now gone Argenteau quickly ordered a withdrawal.
The approximate size of the available forces were 6,000 Austrians and 9,000 French. The next day Argenteau was barely able to muster 700 men.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
General Comte Eugène-Guillaume-Alexis Mercy d'Argenteau : You are the centre column in a three prong attack.
You have been ordered to force your way through the Appenino Savonese mountain range.
This will cut off the French right wing threatening Genoa. Your only possible route is
through Monte Negino. A couple of days ago you placed troops in Bric Castlas and La Crocetta
to protect your flanks. The balance of your forces attacked the French in three redoubts at
Monte Negino but you were unable to take them. You fell back to Monte Pra with heavy losses
and morale is now lower then ever. It is now 6:00am on 12 April 1796 and one of your pickets
has just informed you that French columns are approaching from Monte Negino. A heavy fog has
made it impossible to get an idea about the actual numbers that are coming. What orders will
you now issue to your troops? For a detailed Order of Battle click
HERE.
General-in-Chief of the Army of Italy : Général Napoleon Bonaparte :
A couple of days ago the Austrians attacked three redoubts held by Chef de Brigade Rampon at
Monte Negino. After taking heavy losses the Austrians fell back. You have decided to
attack the Austrians. Last night Général La Harpe moved his Division up behind Rampon.
You are with Général Masséna, and you moved out of the Cadibonne Pass this morning.
It is now 6:00am 12 April 1796 and there is a heavy fog on the ground. What orders do
your commanders have? For a detailed Order of Battle click HERE
Montenotte : After Action Report
Bonaparte worked out a methodical plan to take Monte Pra, La Harpe was to seize Monte Negino, Rampon the heights south of Monte Pra, and Bonaparte with Massena would cross the Rio River north of Montenotte. An all out attack would commence on Monte Pra at 9:00am.
By 6:00am Argenteau was aware of the French advancing from Monte Negino. He responded by deploying his troops on Monte Pra and ordered the troops at La Crocetta to advance south and protect his left flank. If possible they were also to take and hold Monte Negimo.
La Harpe and Rampon were approaching Monte Pra and Monte Negino by 6:30am, but they could not see if they were occupied or not because of the fog. They soon encountered 12 guns and three battalions on Monte Pra. Seeing Monte Negino was not occupied La Harpe quickly seized it.
At 7:00am Masséna and Bonaparte were approaching the fork in the road west of the river Rio.
As the 1st battalion of IR #25 (Brechainville) approached the crest of Monte Negino at 7:40am they were stunned when they suddenly received a series of heavy vollies from both battalions of the 1st Légère Regiment. The shock was so great the Austrians fled from the field. The remaining two battalions stopped and slowly fell back to a secure position in a gap in the forest.
When the fog cleared at 7:50am, Bonaparte found out that Bric Castlas was occupied. He divided Masséna's command and ordered him to hold the Austrians in Bric Castlas while he took the other half of his command to attack Montenotte. Within twenty minutes he changed his mind and ordered Masséna to attack Bric Castlas. Masséna committed the Dragoons and a battalion of infantry to a joint attack on the west side of the village. Another two batalions to the east side. They all encountered heavy artillery and small arms fire from the crest of the hill and the village. The enemy fire encountered was too much and they were all forced back.
The 9:00am French attack on Monte Pra started on time. During the waiting period the Austrians had been able concentrate their artillery to great effect, which only got worse as the French approached. By 9:30am three battalions had been so badly mauled they were no longer able advance and had to withdraw from the field. Five more battalions had been forced back and were trying to regroup.
Between 9:30am and 10:00am Bonaparte launched four separate attacks on Montenotte. Three battalions were routed and the other one was forced to fall back. All the attacks had to deal with large numbers of defenders who refused to surrender an inch. The Austrians had also carefully placed their artillery to canister some of the attackers with deadly effect.
At 10:20am Bonaparte could see that the Austrians from Bric Castlas were now advancing on what remained of Masséna's troops. His own command was almost gone. Rampon had finally taken Monte Pra but Montenotte was now full of Austrians and packed with guns fully deployed. He was not prepared to risk the few troops he still had in another attack on Montenotte. With his head hung low he ordered his troops to withdraw. A legend would not be born today.
Conclusion
It is possible Bonaparte may have been able to develop a better plan. However, the French launched a number of attacks that might have succeeded if they had only gotten a few good dice rolls. The Austrian plan was simple and it held up. They never missed an opportunity to set up text book defenses and the French ran right into them. This battle was clearly an Austrian victory.
