2.1 Outline of events
After the "Surprise de Brescia" (as it is called in the Austrian files) crucial movements and combats would take place on July 30th along the Austrian right wing: By 9:00 FML Baron Quosdanovich with brigades Reuss and Sporck and both advanceguards under Klenau and Lusignan arrived at Montechiaro. Obr.-Lt. Vogel was occupying Brescia and GM Ocskay was still blockading Guyeux in the castle of Salo. GM Ott had started the attack at Lonato in the early morning. The French were driven out of the town and the Austrian hussars pursued them across the heights to the east.
However, the heads of Despinois' and Massena's divisions were arriving in the area between Lonato and Desenzano. Napoleon ordered d'Allemagne to immediately retake Lonato. The impetuous Austrian hussars unwarily bumped into the French guns arrayed along the heights and were pushed back by their fire. Immediately d'Allemagne with his own brigade and Rampon's of Massena's division attacked Lonato in several columns. Napoleon himself directed the combat. GM Ott for a time defended the town against these superior numbers. Enveloped on both wings, he was compelled to leave Lonato and to retreat to Ponte San Marco.
2.2 Original French document:
The report of 5e demi-brigade de bataille
The 11th Thermidor (29 July) the demi-brigade (from Peschiera) set out to the road from Pesciera-Verona to stop the enemy. She guarded several passages and the next day (30 July) returning in her tracks, traversed Peschiera and moved along Lake Garda where she received fire from enemy gun-boats. We established two pieces on the road which vigorously answered the fire and forced the enemy ships to sail for the open.
The 13th Thermior (31 July) we went on to Lonato which the enemy seemed to want to take; in fact he entered that town and went on attacking us in a position which we were occupying to the east of the town. We gained the heights to the left and right, maintained a steady musket fire for approximately an hour thus shattering the enemy who retreated into the town.
Being on his heels we arrived there almost immediately although we were obliged to break open the gates. There was fighting in the streets which we traversed under a fire coming from everywhere; from the doors, from the crossings etc. The enemy lying in ambush at the last gate of the town made hell of a fire to stop us and to give his column the time to file away. Yet in turn he left it to the valour of our soldiers who surpassing the danger achieved to dislodge him and pursued him supported by part of the demi-brigade who had filed over the heights to the right to outflank the enemy.
The fighting was renewed (to the West of the town) continuing for three or four hours and the beaten enemy abandoned the field of battle. This very day the demi-brigade made more than 400 prisoners, killed 120 enemies and wounded 150. On our side the loss amounted to a dozen prisoners, 90 wounded and 30 killed. Among the latter was citizen Thomas, captain, commanding a battalion en second. This officer was distinguished by his very rare audacity showing himself the first in the street, at the range of pistol, under a fire which left no free space. His death was for sure but it was necessary to give an example which was soon followed by the sentiment of honour and the desire to avenge him.
This esteemed man was regretted by all of us. Citizens Neron, lieutenant, and Le Broc, sous-lieutenant of the grenadiers, were severely injured; Neron died from his wound. This affair was directed and commanded by generals of division Despinoy and of brigade Bertin
2.3 Original Austrian document:
GM Ott's report to FML Quosdanovich
I was ordered by the main instruction that as soon as I would have occupied Ponte di San Marco to strive to conquer the post of Lonato too but as my force was exhausted from the July 29 combat (of Salo) and the fatiguing July 30 march to Ponte San Marco the expedition had to be postponed to the next day namely the 31st the expedition which to execute the more I was resolved because FML and corps commander Baron Quosdanovich had told me that during the night he would advance to Montechiaro.
My measures for this attack were as follows: The hussar pickets as consisting of the 2nd Major's squadron of Erdödi made the advance-guard to whose support a division (2 coys, BV) of Jellacic was ordered. The broken terrain didn't allow an advance in several columns.
I therefore proceeded along the high road which leads from Brescia to Venice my whole column consisting of just 4 comps Jellacic, 2 bat Kheul and 2 comp Liccaners, then the 2nd Erdödian squadron. As soon as I had reached San Marco I sent one company Jellacic to the left to dislodge the enemy outposts positioned on the heights there and by that arrive at the flank of the enemy position proper. When all had arrived at the distance ordered, with the advance-guard I attacked the position proper as quick as possible and sent colonel Count St. Julien with a battalion from the high way to occupy the heights to the right and thus to support the advance-guard as well as to gain the left flank of the enemy what also due to the skill and the direction by colonel Count St. Julien partly succeeded.
The enemy was driven from the fortified post of Lonato and a part of the heights was taken. Also a hussar troop of Erdödy under the command of Lt Sernich pursued the retreating enemy to the crest of the hills. There they came upon 2 batteries raised by the enemy forces at Desenzano which by several shots of round shot and canister forced the hussars to retreat. Then the enemy who in the meanwhile had drawn considerable forces from the Desenzano camp deployed anew and in his turn now attacked already once occupied Lonato with such impetuosity and superiority that irrespective of all conceivable bravery of all troops I was forced to fall back the more because the enemy had a big column of infantry as well as cavalry march into the plain between Lonato and Montechiaro (Augereau!, BV) and a second one on the road leading to the mountains to Salo. I formed up again in the plain between San Marco and Ponte di San Marco repulsed the pursuing enemy several times and finally in the evening entered the camp at Ponte di San Marco on the left bank of the Chiesa where during the night also the corps of FML B. Quosdanovich arrived and the further retreat into the gorges of the mountains was resumed.
The loss especially of the Kheulian regiment and the Liccaners is considerable as is shown by the enclosed consignment. Because the importance of the post seemed very blatant to me I believed it to be my duty, and to the utmost advantage of all the operations of his excellency the Feldmarshal, to have to hold it with the utmost effort.
I undertake to emphasise the distinguished bravery of Mr colonel C. St. Julien; as well as that of Mr Major O'Brian remaining death; and of the mortally wounded 2nd major of the Kheulian, then the indefatigable employment of my adjutant lieutenant-colonel Lanz of (unreadable) infantry who with restless activity and bravery himself on all spots has guided and commanded the necessary reinforcements and from this has suffered a severe injury; then too of captain of the general staff Count of Neuburg, indefatigable at all times, being at my side transmitting the orders and leading the troops.
1st Lonato
13 Thermidor
(Sunday 31 July 1796)
Massena's Division
Staff: Monnier, Chabran, Basset
GB Joubert
-
4e dbl 1,294
carabiniers 11e dbl 300
GB Valette
- 18e dbl 2.784
GB Victor
- IInd 11e db 907
18e db 2,616
GB Beaumont
- 15e rd 224
GB Rampon
- 17e dbl 1,231
22e dbl 1,038
GB Dallemagne*
- 32e db 2,546
Ist 11e db 907
25e rch 260
25e rch 260
Total: 20 1/3 bns, 7 sqns. 15,282 (14,479 infantry, 484 cavalry, 321 artillery, 10 pieces)
*only Dallemagne's brigade was engaged
Despinois' Division
adjutant: Herbin
GB Bertin
- 5e db 2,578
GB Cervoni
- 39e db 1,894
Total: 6 bns. 4,772 infantry
1st Column on the Chiese 21 July
FML Quasdanovich (8 bnc, 3 coys, 2sqns, 10,000):
4th Brigade:
Advance guard: Oberst Marquis Lusignan
- 1/ Klebeck No. 15 (940), 2 coys Mahony Jäger (337), 1sqn Wurmser Hus. No. 5. (180), 2 6pdrs guns, 1 7 pdr howitzer, 1/2 pioneer coy.
Mass: Gen. Maj. Fürst Reuss
- 2/Klebeck N0.14 (940), 1/2/ Erbach No. 42 (1,935), 4 sqns Wurmser Hus. No. 5. (720), 4 6pdr guns, 2 7pdr howitzers.
3rd Brigade:
Advance guard: Oberst Graf Klenau
- 1/Devins No. 37 (995), 1 coy Mahony Jäger (169), 1 sqn Wurmser Hus. No. 5. (180), 2 6pdrs guns, 1 7pdr howtzer, 1/2 pioneer coy.
Mass: Gen. Maj. Graf Spork
- Gren. Bns l'Aisne 3/4/46 (551), Gavasini 23/24/49 (492) & Kottulinsky 14/50/59 (642), 2sqns Wurmser Hus. No. 5. (360),
Obr. Lt. Vogel at Brescia (2 bns, 2 sqns):
- 3/ Jordis No. 59 (847), 1/Latterman No45 (789), 2 sqns Wurmser Hus. No. 5. (360)
2nd Brigade: Gen Maj. Ott at Lonato (3 bns, 2 coys, 2 sqns):
- 1/2/ Kheul No. 10 (2,0099), 1/ Jellacic No. 53 (1,008), 2 coys 3rd Karlstädtler (400), 2 sqns Erdödi Hus. No.2 (328), 2 6pdrs guns, 1 7pdr howtzer, 1/2 pioneer coy.
1st Brigade: Gen Maj. Ocskay at Salo (3 bns, 2 coys, 1 sqns):
- 1/2/ Esterhazy No. 34 (2,077), 3/ Jellacic No. 53 (1,008), 2 coys Mahony Jäger (337), 1¼ sqn Maazaros Ul. No. 1 (189), 2 6pdr Guns, 1 7pdr Howitzer, 1/2 pioneer coy.
16 bns, 7 coys, 13¼ sqns. Approximate Strength; 16,272 Infantry, 2,349 Cavalry, ??? artillery, 18 pieces
More Lonato:
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