10 May 1796
Guides for Northern Italy
was at the battle of Lodi that Napoleon
Bonaparte proved himself to his men and won the nickname
The Little Corporal.
French were trying to trap General Beaulieu's Austrians
but tardiness allowed the enemy to escape across the Adda
River to safety.
left behind a 10,000-strong force at Lodi to delay any French
pursuit and when Bonaparte's men arrived they found the
defenders in a strong position and the vital bridge swept
by cannon and musket fire.
himself sighted the French artillery pieces - usually the
job for an artillery corporal - and pinned down the Austrians
with accurate fire while an assault was organised.
determined and costly charge by General
Massena, combined with flanking crossings further along
the river, forced the Austrian rearguard to retreat towards
the fortress at Mantua.
sides lost about 2000 men at Lodi.