ORDER OF BATTLE // September 21, 1794
First Battle of Dego
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 26,000 estimated
French Republic
18,000
Medium-confidence figure
Habsburg monarchy
8,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The First Battle of Dego was fought on September 21, 1794, during the War of the First Coalition, pitting a French force of approximately 18,000 against an Austrian force of roughly 8,000 in present-day northern Italy. The engagement resulted in a French victory. Its primary historical note rests on Napoleon Bonaparte's presence at the battle, which he later described in his correspondence. Commanders Masséna and Napoleon represented French forces against Austrian commander Wallis. French casualties of around 2,000 against Austrian losses of approximately 1,000 indicate the contest carried a real cost despite the numerical disparity, though the battle's broader operational consequences within the Italian theater are not detailed in available sources.
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