The armies of Bonaparte and Würmser faced each other with the Austrian left 'in the air'. Würmser strengthened this with most of his guns and his cavalry. The French weakly attacked the Austrian front and then withdrew more on their left than centre. The Austrian line moved forward to fill the 'vacuum'. A French force under Fiorella having come by forced march all through the night attacked the left rear of the Austrian line coordinated with a full attack all along the Austrian front. But for some determined defence, and a strong counter attack by Austrians under Bajalich, Würmser's force would have been surrounded.

A small town in northwestern Italy about 6 miles south of Lake Garda and 19 miles northwest of Mantua.

After the initial attack by the French the manoeuvre to pull back all along the line except for the extreme right wing, the left wing retreating more than the right, was extremely risky. In this period of warfare, unless the troops are very well trained and disciplined, even small withdrawals can become large routs. This was a truly Napoleonic move.

The French did not pursue in strength being fairly exhausted by night marches to get into position and by the battle itself. Würmser withdrew almost all his force, although he lost 20 guns, and crossed the river Mincio. He destroyed the bridges behind him.

French Forces

Number engaged :

35,000

Casualties :

1,100 (3.14%)

Coalition Forces [ Austrian]

Number engaged :

15,500

Casualties :

3,000 (19.35%)