Battle at the Bormida bridge, 13 April 1796
An artillery bombardment starts the battle of the Bormida bridge.
The artillery causes some disorder to the Brigade Victor, defending the bridge.
The Piedmontese troops under Brempt watch the bombardment, grenadiers fix bayonets and wait.
The austrians on the right flank of the french army also wait.
The artillery is now reducing their fire. The French troops are closing ranks. The Piedmontese grenadiers are now leading the assault, they start to cross the river, coming under fire from the French troops.
The austrians, see the determination of their allies and start their attack to the brigade of General Beyrat.
The Piedmontese troops are disorder by the french fire but they assault the enemy defending the bridge and the river side
The austrian attack is not stopped by the french volleys. They fire a destructive volley at point blanc, causing many casualties to the enemy.
On the right french flank, the battle enrages. The austrian troops close the assault and manage to disrupt the french lines, the revolutionaries of General Beyart are falling back!
The Piedmontese troops are trying to recover from the attack, meanwhile the austrians continue the assault.
General Beyrat rallies his troops and closes ranks. His volleys cause disorder into the austrian ranks.
Tha austrian assault begins. The musketry fire of the austrians is devastating.
Napoleon is seen behind the french ranks, so even if the Beyrat brigade has very heavy casualties, manages to hold ground. The austrians retire in disarray, without many casualties on the ground.
Now the Piedmontese General is seen on the bridge, exhorting his troops to attack!
the piedmontese troops rush again to the assault!
the french volleys are not stopping the piedmontese, which cross the river and cross bayonets with the men of general Victor.
A vicious melee ensues. The french troops, exhorted by Napoleon, stand the fight. The piedmontese troops fight valiantly, with grenadiers in front of teh fight, but they are decimated. What remains of the Piedmontese troops retires in disorder.
The austrian troops do not renew the attack.
Losses: Beyrat -2, Brempt -2.
