Bataille de Castiglione |
 |
 |
| Obverse - |
On the field of this medal, are represented three naked Combatants,
one of which lies dead on the ground, over the body of which the other
two are in close combat. |
| Legend, |
BATAILLE DE CASTIGLIONE, COMBAT DE PESCHIERA. |
| Exergue, |
name of the artist, LAVY |
|
| Reverse - |
A laurel wreath, with two antique trumpets saltier;
|
| above the wreath, |
on the field, A L'ARMEE D'ITALIE: |
| below the wreath, |
LOI DU 27 THERMIDOR, AN 4ME. REP. |
|
| Size, 1 11/16 inches. |
| The accounts of the Battle of Castiglione, which we
have met with states, that the successes of Wurmser, who had succeeded General
Beaulieu, had placed the French armies in a very delicate situation. On
the 1st August, the army advanced, while the Austrians detached a force
to Castiglione, where General Valette had been left with 1800 men to defend
that important post, and to keep the division of Wurmser at a distance;
but Valette was completely defeated, and escaped with only half his troops
to Monte Chiaro. Bonaparte, vexed by the issue of this affair, instantly
suspended General Valette. |
| The two armies faced each other on the morning of the
third, the Imperialists, not waiting the attack of the French, surrounded
the advanced guard of General Massena, near Castiglione, and took General
Pigeon prisoner, with three pieces of flying artillery. The French had hopes
of penetrating the Austrian line, and the latter extended it, in order to
surround the French; the Imperialists were thrown into disorder, and retreated
to Salo; but, that place being then in the hands of the French, they wandered
through the mountains, and many of them were taken. Meantime, General Augereau
took Castiglione, and, during the day, maintained several obstinate actions
with the enemy, who fought with great bravery and courage. |
| Bonaparte, being satisfied of the destruction of all
the hostile corps from Gavardo and Salo, on the 5th August, ordered the
whole army to make a retrograde movement. |
