This is the account of the first battle in our Dego 1796 BBB campaign.

During the first two days Napoleon has ordered his troops to rush to Voltri and attack the austrians. The austrians have been lured out of the town after having seen Cervoni retire. They have been caught at about midday by the main French Force.

Down below the account. We have decided to zoom in the campaign and make a remote battle. The referee has been reporting separately to the two parts what was happening, interpreting their orders and solving fire, assaults.

A bit of roleplay was allowed, since the players were following the battle “in person”.

The full campaign diary of the two armies will be released at the end of the campaign.

Information for Beaulieu de Marconnay (CinC)

It is 12:00, General Wukassowitch, leading the pursue, tells you that he is observing the previously fleeting Brigade of General Cervoni leave march mode, turn their battalions and start arraying them for battle. They are currently at about 3 km distance. He has stopped marching and currently arraying his battalion in battle columns.

Behind Cervoni, a lot of dust raises from the road, as if a large number of men are marching towards us.

Information for Napoleon

It is 12:00, General Cervoni Adjutant de Camp has arrived. Cervoni wishes a good victorious day! The enemy troops have fallen into his trap. They have left the town of Voltri and are marching towards the Savona pursuing him very closely. They are about 3km from them. They stopped marching about half and hour ago and they seem to be leaving the road and arraying for battle.

You are about 2km behind, in marching order along the road.

12:30

Napoleon

The enemy troops have arrayed in line, two brigades up. They stand still.

Cervoni has deployed in line and advanced towards the enemy. He is at long musketry range, no casualties have been received.

The artillery is advancing on his left flank, will deploy shortly.

All other troops have deployed in massed columns formation and advanced. They are still marching along the road approximately half an hour fast march behind Cervoni.

Beaulieu De Marconnay

Your Troops have deployed splendidly in line, their left flank is protected by the sea, the right flank by difficult terrain. Cervoni has advanced and has reached long musketry range. Your mean have started firing.

On your right flank, just behind Cervoni, you may see some artillery starting to deploy.

Further behind, you may see additional troops, the equivalent of at least another brigade. They may be more.

13:00

Napoleon

Brigade Cervoni has launched some hurrays and advanced towards the enemy. They are still at long musketry range but they have come in between the fire path of the artillery.

Artillery has deployed and cannot support the attack from Massena, they are firing to the right flank of the enemy.

Massena has launched the assault , now at point blank range.

The other two brigade are following behind Massena.

Massena has carried out a valiant attack. Even if his columns are a bit disarrayed, they have assaulted the enemy line. The Austrians have recoiled. The brigade in from fo Massena is now defending the pass between the mountains and the sea.

Cervoni brigade is disarrayed due to enemy fire.

Beaulieu De Marconnay

The enemy brigade in line has advanced and shifted habit on your right. They are still at long musketry range, they have started firing at your right flank brigade.

The enemy artillery has deployed and started firing on your right flank brigade.

One massed brigade has appeared from behind the Cervoni brigade and is attacking your left flank brigade. An assault had started and you are firing point blank.

Wussakovich brigade has carried out a very effective fire and has disarrayed the Cervoni Brigade. Even if under fire from enemy artillery, they are standing in place in good order.

Pittoni has put a very effective point blank fire but has not managed to stop the enemy. The melee has been in favour of the French, Pittoni has recoiled for a short distance in disarray.

13:30

Napoleon

General Joubert has decided to rally his troops before advancing further. At short musketry range he has been under intense fire and still in disarray.

Brigade Dommager, with Napoleon, is close behind but did not manage to manoeuvre behind the steady Austrian line.

Cervoni has reordered and firing, the Artillery is firing.

The Brigades Joubert and Dommager, under your command, have carried an effective assault on the enemy. The enemy brigade is retiring towards Voltri after having sustained losses. You have closed the gap between Voltri and the rest of the austrian troops.

Beaulieu De Marconnay

General Pittoni is now occupying a very good defensive position. He has fired some good volleys and brought the enemy stopped and in disarray.

Wukassovich is under fire but his troops are in good order, they are not causing many casualties to the enemy.

General Pittoni has managed to snatch a messenger through enemy lines. He has been attacked by overwhelming forces. After having sustained heavy losses he is retiring towards Voltri. The French are occupying the gap between you and Voltri.

You are standing with the Wukassovich brigade, under heavy enemy fire. Your lines are in disarray.

14:00

Napoleon

Joubert has orders to pursue Pittoni up to Voltri and beyond.

Napoleon decides to turn and attack Wukassovich on the back.

Meynier has orders to attack Wukassovich in support of Dommager.

General Joubert is currently reorganising his troops after the successful assault, he is not pursuing the enemy who is entering Voltri..

Dommage brigade, lead by you has attacked the rear of the austrians. General Meynard has supported you during the attack. The already disarrayed Austrian troops have wavered and you see men running away towards the mountains.

General Beaulieu De Marconnay, surrounded by you and your men, has surrended his sword to you.

Beaulieu De Marconnay

De Marconnay has ordered Wukassovich to assault the french in front to try to break the enemy in one point.

Pittoni has orders to retire to Voltri and entrench.

General Beaulieu de Marconnay has lead the assault towards the enemy lines. His units have been assaulted by two enemy brigades and fired upon by a third brigade and artillery. The assault has stalled. Napoleon has been seen leading his troops to attack the rear of Wukassovich men.

General Beaulieu, unable to break out from the field, has surrendered his sword to Napoleon.

General Pittoni is occupying Voltri at the moment.

15:00

A large number of French troops has approached Voltri. General Pittoni decides to retire and not engage into a very uneven fighting, with his men in a low state of morale. He marches towards Genoa.