Bonaparte Arcole Bridge

On the night of 14-15 November 1796, the French threw a pontoon bridge over the Adige at Ronco. The terrain before them in the angle north of the confluence of the Rivers Alpone and Adige was singularly uninviting as a battleground, comprising a vast and nearly impassable marsh with movement only practicable on the elevated causeways along the riverbanks. Bonaparte counted on this constricted terrain to prevent the Austrians from effectively deploying their superior numbers.

On 15 November, Augereau’s Division pushed swiftly north along the causeway on the west bank of the Alpone, but was brought to a halt at the bridge of Arcole by the fire of Oberst Brigido’s Croatian Grenzer battalion, supported by two cannon. Generals Lannes and Verdier were wounded, General Verne killed leading unsuccessful charges across the bridge. Augereau, and finally Bonaparte himself, in an episode much celebrated by French painters, braved the enemy’s fire leading vain assaults over the bridge. The Austrians counterattacked; in the confusion of the French retreat Bonaparte fell from the causeway into the swamp and was in danger of drowning or capture. Masséna’s Division, advancing westward along the north bank of the Adige, captured Porcile. At nightfall, the French withdrew to the Ronco bridgehead.

On 16 November, the French advanced along the same lines, without the benefit of surprise, against Austrian forces that had been much reinforced. In a bitter battle of attrition, both sides suffered heavy losses. The French again retired to their bridgehead.

On 17 November, French ambushes and stratagems, plus a column advancing up the east bank of the Alpone late in the day, finally routed the Austrians at both Arcole and Porcile. Alvintzi’s Corps retreated eastward through Vicenza. Davidovitch was pursued back to the Tyrol. By this strategic victory fought under almost impossible tactical conditions, Bonaparte had again turned back superior enemy forces and maintained the siege of Mantua.