Instrument of Victory

Bonaparte's Army of Italy
in the 1796-97 Campaign

Unit Profiles: Light Demi-Brigades

by John Giessmann


At right, French dragoons bar the gate during counterinsurgency in Italy.

2nd Light

The 2nd Light was composed of elements of the 21st Light and 117th Federal. The 2nd Light had served with the Army of the Rhine. Transferred to Italy at the end of 1796, the 2nd became a part of Massena's Division and participated in the invasion of Austria.

4th Light

The 4th Light, formerly the 8th Light, served in Massena's Division at the beginning of April 1796. It fought at Montenotte (the second day), as well as First and Second Dego. The demi-brigade next saw action at Borghetto, Lonato, Castiglione, Bassano, and St. George/La Favorita. During the Arcola phase of the fighting, the demi-brigade fought under Joubert in the Adige Valley against Davidovitch. At Rivoli, the 4th Light fought under Joubert again. After the fall of Mantua, the 4th took part in the invasion of Austria.

5th Light

The 5th Light entered Italy around 21 June, 1796. The demi-brigade formed part of Augereau's Division and saw combat at Bassano, Caldiero, and Arcola. During the Rivoli phase of operations, the demi-brigade fought at Legnano with Augereau. After the fall of Mantua, the 5th Light formed part of the garrison of northern Italy.

11th Light

The 11th Light, formerly the 3rd Light, was commanded by Giuseppi. It served in Joubert's Brigade (Massena's Division) in April 1796. After marching up the Col di Cadabona, the unit fought at Cosseria and San Michele. At Lodi, the demi-brigade arrived too late to take part in the attack across the bridge, but did bivouac on the field of battle. The 11th Light next saw action at Borghetto. In the weeks before Castiglione, the demi-brigade split up for multiple duties. Just before Wurmser invaded Italy in late July of 1796, the 11th was reconstituted.

Unfortunately, the unit suffered greatly in falling back before Wurmser's move down the Adige, and many of the men were taken prisoner. Joubert, who was sick at this time, nonetheless, helped the carabiniers (elite company) of the 11th Light escape from La Corona on Monte Baldo during Wurmser's advance. The depleted demi-brigade served at Lonao, and (somewhat ironically) pursued Wurmser back up the Adige Valley when he retreated after his defeat at Castiglione. The 11th served in a reserve capacity until the end of the campaign when it advanced with the army up the Brenner Pass.

12th Light

The 12th Light took part in the siege of Milan in June of 1796, then proceeded to Mantua where it served in Serurier's Division during the blockade of Mantua. It was employed against the Italian rebels at Casalmaggiore and fought at Castiglione where the demi-brigade took the village of Medole which formed the left flank of the Austrian line. It spent the next several months around Mantua. In January of 1797, as part of Murat's command, it moved to Salo and crossed Lake Garda to Torri to participate in the battle of Rivoli. The 12th Light also joined the invasion of Austria.

15th Light

The 15th Light formed part of Bernadotte's Division which was transferred from the Army of the Sambre and Meuse to Italy in the spring of 1797. It took part in the invasion of Austria.

17th Light

The 17th Light, formerly the 1st Light, served in LaHarpe's Division in April of 1796. It fought at Montenotte, First and Second Dego, Mondovi, and Fombio. It arrived too late to take part in the battle of Lodi. Next, it fought at Borghetto and both battles of Castiglione. During the Arcola phase of operations, it fought under Vaubois in the Adige Valley against Davidovitch. It also fought at Rivoli and took part in the invasion of Austria.

18th Light

The 18th Light was part of Kellerman's Army of the Alps. It entered Italy in the spring of 1796 under the command of Valette. It marched to the Adige Valley where it served under Massena. It fought at the first battle of Castiglione under Augereau, then at the second battle under Massena. Brigaded with the 18th and 32nd Line, the 18th Light became a key part of the most distinguished division in the army of Italy, fighting at St. George/La Favorita and Caldiero. At Arcola, the demi-brigade mainly guarded the bridge over the Adige River. During the battle of Rivoli, the 18th Light defended Verona. After the fall of Mantua, it took part in the invasion of Austria.

20th Light

The 20th Light Demi-Brigade arrived in Italy from France in late December of 1796. The demi-brigade was sent south of the Po under Lannes to watch the Papal States. After the fall of Mantua, it took part in the invasion of Austria.

21st Light

The 21st Light was transferred in the spring of 1797 from the Army of the Rhine to the Army of Italy. It served in Serurier's Division during the invasion of Austria.

22nd Light

The 22nd Light faced the Piedmontese Army at Ceva in the Spring of 1796. It fought at San Michele and at Mondovi. The demi-brigade marched across northern Italy during May and into June, and eventually was stationed in the Adige Valley on Monte Baldo in Massena's Division. It fought at Castiglione and Roveredo. During the Arcola phase of operations it served in Vaubois's Division in the Adige Valley. In December of 1796, the demi-brigade was switched to Joubert's Division, but still remained on duty facing the Austrians in the Adige Valley. As a result, it was present at Rivoli. The demi-brigade ended the campaign advancing up the Brenner Pass.

26th Light

The 26th Light entered Italy in February of 1797. It fought in Baraguey d'Hilliers' Division under Pijon. The demi-brigade fought in the Tyrol and advanced up the Brenner Pass.

27th Light

The 27th Light was created in May of 1796 from the 4th Light Demi-Brigade, the Allobroges Legion (not the same Allobroges unit shown on some of the orders of battle), and the fourth battalion of the Legion of Mountain Chasseurs. The demi-brigade served under Rusca in April of 1796 and fought at Ceva. In May, a number of the demi-brigade's men took part in the famous charges across the bridge at Lodi. In June, the demi-brigade (still under Rusca) was assigned to Sauret's Division and guarded the Salo area to the west of Lake Garda.

When the Austrians attacked Salo during the Castiglione phase of operations, the demi-brigade was driven back south, at which time Rusca was seriously wounded. Because the demi-brigade was used by Bonaparte to contain the Austrians around Salo, it did not see service at Castiglione. During September, October, and November of 1796, the 27th Light transferred to Vaubois's Division and saw action in the Adige Valley during the Arcola phase of operations. In late December, the 27th Light was moved south of the Po River to form part of Lannes' Camp of Bologna, which was to hold the Papal States in check. Following the fall of Mantua, the demi-brigade took part in the invasion of Austria.

29th Light

The 29th Light was formed from a combination of the 6th and the 18th Light. During April of 1796, the demi-brigade served under Rusca and attacked the redoubts around Ceva. At Lodi, according to regimental lore, Rusca led a charge across the bridge with the 29th Light, but was driven back. Following the fall of Milan, the demi-brigade was transferred to Sauret's Division (still under Rusca) and took part in operations around Salo during the Castiglione phase of operations. In August, the demi-brigade was transferred to Augereau's Division, under whom it fought at St. George/La Favorita. During the Arcola phase of operations, the demi-brigade served under Vaubois in the Adige Valley. In January, the 29th served under Joubert, and fought at Rivoli. The demi-brigade ended the campaign advancing up the Brenner Pass.

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