Battle of Cassano

Overview

The Battle of Cassano was fought in 1799 from 27 to 28 April near Cassano d'Adda, which about 28 km (17 mi) ENE of Milan. The clash is part of the battle of the Adda River or the so-called forcing of the Adda, which on the first day of 26 April resulted in a minor victory for the Russians under the Count Suvorov over Barthélemy Schérer's French forces at Lecco. Then, on the second day, Suvorov's Austrians and Cossacks prevailed over Jean Moreau's army, who replaced Schérer as supreme commander, and trapped his isolated division on the third. The action took place during the War of the Second Coalition, as part of the larger conflict known as the French Revolutionary Wars. Moreau was not entirely responsible for his defeat, much of the responsibility for which lies with Schérer, who overextended his troops and failed to exploit the advantages of his position.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The 1799 Battle of Cassano d'Adda was fought in Lombardy during the Italian campaign of the War of the Second Coalition, pitting Suvorov's Austro-Russian force of roughly 48,000–49,000 against a French Republican army of approximately 27,000–28,000. The disparity in casualties—French losses of 6,900–7,500 against Coalition losses of 2,000–2,500—indicates a decisive Coalition tactical success. The engagement was part of the broader Allied effort to roll back French gains in northern Italy following the revolutionary conquests of the previous years, and Suvorov's command drew on a concentration of Russian and Austrian subordinates across multiple columns. The battle's outcome contributed to the erosion of French control over Lombardy at a moment when the Republic was under pressure across multiple fronts in the Second Coalition's counter-offensive.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (23)