The relatively small size of this battle makes it suitable to refight using battalions as the basic combat unit, organised into divisions for the French, with the addition of Corps for the Austrians. Eugene had not yet formalized a Corp organisation for his army. Each of his divisions had a paper strength of 7,200 men in 10 battalions with two batteries of guns in support. The cavalry were understrength, numbering about 2,500 troopers per division.

Army of Italy
Viceroy Prince Eugene de Beauharnais

1st (French) Division - Serras
2nd (French) Division - Broussier
3rd (French) Division - Grenier
5th (French) Division - Barbou d'Escourieres
1st (Italian) Division - Severoli
Light Cavalry Division - Sahuc

Each of the infantry divisions should have two batteries of 6lb guns if you intend to play to a scale where all the battalions can fight. Should you intend to use rules such as Grand Manner, then I would recommend five battalions per division and one battery, with Serras perhaps having 12lbers. Sahuc should have three regiments of chasseurs and one of hussars, plus a 4lb Horse battery. As far as tsop quality is concerned, if you are using Follow the Eagle then I suggest the French are C class Trained, with the exception of Barbou who should have C class Conscript, as should be all the Italian troops. Gunners perhaps can be C class Veteran across the brigade. The cavalry should be no better than C class Trained. Using Grand Manner I would suggest the French are 1st line with the Italians and Barbou as 2nd Line.

Austrian Army of Italy
The Archduke John

VIII Corps - Albert Gyulai (in absence of Chasteler)

1st Division - A Gyulai

1st Brigade - Colloredo-Mannsfeld
2nd Brigade - Gagoli
3rd Brigade - Berelat

2nd Division - Frimont van Palota

1st Brigade - Wetzel
2nd Brigade - Schmidt

1st Division - Gorupp von Besanez

1st Brigade - Kleinmayer
2nd Brigade - Marziani
3rd Brigade - Kalnassy von Kalnas

2nd Division - Reichenberg.

1st Brigade - Altensteig

3rd Division - Knesevich von St. Helena.

1st Brigade - Stoichewich.

The organisation of the Austrian formations is not quite so generic, and needs clarification. A standard Austrian infantry brigade totalled six battalions, or about 6,500 men. Albert Gyulai's own division seerns to have had a strength of about 15,000 at Sacile, and with Austrian wargaming units generally hovering at the 1,000 mark, a total of 15 units may be appropriate if using Follow the Eagle. The addition of three 6lb batteries should do nicely. Frimont appears to have commanded one of those Advance Guard divisions of which the Austrians were so fond. I would suggest 2 battalions of over strength Grenz (about 1,500 each) plus a 720 man jager battalion. A 1,000 strong chevauleger regiment and a matching hussar unit along with two batteries of 6lbers should round off Frimont adequately.

Ignatius Gyulai's IX Corps appears different again, with Besanez's division having line and Grenz in it. Accordingly I suggest 9 battalions of line and one of Grenz, strengths as before, with 3 batteries of 6lbers. Reichenburg's division should have 4 battalions of grenadiers (720 each) plus two regiments each of hussars ad dragoons at a similar strength. A further two batteries of guns makes up the numbers. Finally Knesevich's command appears primarily to have been Grenzers, so I suggest 4 battalions of Grenz and one of line, together with one battery. Each of the corps also had an artillery reserve, consisting of one battery of 6lbers and one of 12lbers.

As far as troop ratings go, for Follow the Eagle the Austrian line merit C class Trained, whilst the Grenzers might make C class Veteran. The grenadiers might be B class Trained, as could be the cavalry, although you might like to drop the dragoons down to C class.

Converting the Austrians to Grand Manner, halving the available units seems to work, with the jagers reduced to additional skirmishers. Substituting one battery per corps as 12lbers also comes to mind.

Finally

Before any of you hot-headed researchers gets on your high horse about the nature of this article, please bear in mind that it is written by and for wargamers. The suggestions in the army list section have been worded to be as non-patronising as possible. The aim should be to successfully refight the battle on tabletop as a GAME, and nothing more. Whilst I fully appreciate the intellectual side of our hobby this writer is obliged to stand up for the fun side in which he believes. Let there be room for all.

Map of battle