7
Repulse at Santa Lucia
After the victory at Pastrengo, and whilst awaiting the siege train’s arrival at Peschiera, Carlo Alberto decided to mount an operation in front of Verona.1 On May 3rd, the King discussed with General Bava the planning of a major reconnaissance-in-force against the main Austrian line defending the city west of the Adige. Bava subsequently drew up a plan.2 Unfortunately, the King had also asked General Franzini to prepare a similar scheme. Carlo Alberto summoned his senior commanders to a meeting at his headquarters in Sommacampagna, at 15:00 on the 5th, to discuss details.
Diversion on the Rivoli Plateau
In the meanwhile, a move was made once again on FML Welden’s weak force near Rivoli. After the retreat of Wocher’s division to the east bank of the Adige, the defence of the Rivoli Plateau was left denuded, despite its great importance. The remaining troops were stretched along the east bank of the Adige below Trento, disposed, on May 2nd, as follows:
Ponton and Volargne – four companies of III/Kaiserjäger, ½ squadron, Liechtenstein Chevaux-Legers, ½ foot artillery battery, Colonel Zobel
Between Volargne and Ceraino – II/IR Schwarzenberg, of which two companies occupied Gajun.
Rivoli – I/IR Schwarzenberg, two companies, IR Baden, ½ rocket battery, Lieutenant-Colonel Péchy
Between Caprino, Spiazzi, and Rivalta – two companies, II/IR Baden, one company, III/IR Baden
On May 4th, as a feint for the main operation to come, elements of General Allemandi’s forces still west of Lake Garda, were ferried across from Salò to Lasize, to join General Bes’ Piedmont Brigade, with two guns of the Modena Artillery, and a battalion of the 16th Regiment. At 16:00 that afternoon, in an inconclusive clash between pickets of II/16th Infantry Regiment and I/IR Schwarzenberg at Sega, immediately north of Ponton, the Piedmontese lost three killed and seven wounded, and the Austrians, four wounded.
Of more concern to Welden, the next day, General Bes made a reconnaissance in force towards Affi and Cavajon. Around midday, The Piedmont Brigade advanced above Sega, against Captain Porschütz’ company of IR Schwarzenberg, pushing it back with a loss of four killed, eight wounded, and 20 missing. At the same time, volunteer units on the brigade’s right, moved against Ponton, through Affi. A determined countermove by Lieutenant-Colonel Péchy, with two companies of IR Baden, and three of Schwarzenberg, accompanied by the half rocket battery, caused General Bes to call a halt to the operation. He had successfully pushed the enemy outposts from Cavajon, and discovered that the Rivoli position was more strongly occupied than perhaps thought. Piedmontese losses for the day totalled two killed and 13 wounded 3. This diversion/reconnaissance achieved, it was time for the operation to test the defences of Verona; an operation on an altogether different scale.
The Battle of Santa Lucia
Plans and Dispositions
At the King’s conference, also on May 5th, an appalled General Bava heard the War Minister’s plan adopted rather than his own. Although not vastly different in content, Franzini’s scheme was to be launched the next morning, whereas Bava had planned the operation for May 7th. He was, understandably, adamant that the delay was necessary, but was overruled. The conference broke up at 17:00.4 Immediately afterwards, the staff began work on the detailed orders for the operation. With so little time, the result was a shambles. Given that Bava’s dispositions, which may be considered superficial, there was nowhere near enough time for General Salasco to issue the detailed orders required. Although the advance was scheduled to begin at 07:30, Lieutenant-General Bava, leading it, did not receive a copy of the orders until 04:00. Some units received theirs at 07:00, and others after the battle had started.5 Nevertheless, the first major attack of the campaign by the Piedmontese, however unclear the objective to those involved, was now under way.
West of Verona, curving around it on the west bank of the River Adige was the geographical feature known as the Rideau. This was the dry former riverbed of the Adige before it changed course. It resembled a semi-circular flat amphitheatre with the former bank as a perpendicular wall around it, some three and a half metres high. Defending the curve of the Rideau that morning, were II Corps and the division of Prince Schwarzenberg, of I Corps, together totalling some 15,900 men.6 These troops were deployed, from north to south, as follows:
Brigade, Major-General Wilhelm, Prince Taxis
II Kaiser Jäger Battalion
I & II/IR Haugwitz (Nr.38)
Two squadrons, Chevauleger Regiment Windischgrätz (Nr.4)
4th 6 Pounder Foot Artillery Battery
3,000 men, six guns – Chievo, with outposts some 3,400 metres to the west, near Casa dell’ Albera, north of the Peschiera Road.
Cavalry Brigade, Major-General Baron von Simbschen
Three squadrons, Hussar Regiment Reuss (Nr.7)
Five squadrons, Chevauleger Regiment Windischgrätz (Nr.4)
5th Horse Artillery Battery
1,000 men, six guns – In Reserve between Chievo and the Porta San Zeno
Brigade, Major-General Prince Friedrich Liechtenstein
Four companies, 9th Feld-Jäger Battalion
I and II/IR Archduke Franz Carl I (Nr.52)
Two squadrons, Hussar Regiment Reuss (Nr.7)
2nd Horse Artillery Battery
2,700 men, six guns – Outposts from Cà dell’ Albera, south to Cà Salvi. Two companies of IR Franz Carl were positioned in buildings between San Massimo and Sagramoso. Two others were posted in farmsteads near Ghette, along with two guns from 12 Pounder Battery Nr. 2. Between Sagramoso and the road to Bussolengo stood three companies of 9th Feld-Jäger Battalion, the other four 12 pounders from the same battery, and two 6 pounders from Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 2. In the farmsteads north of the road, were two companies of IR Franz Carl, with two further guns of the horse battery.
Brigade, Major-General Strassoldo
10th Feld-Jäger Battalion
III/IR Archduke Sigismund (Nr.45)
Two squadrons, Hussar Regiment Radetzky (Nr.5)
Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 3
2,300 men, six guns – Two and a half companies, IR Sigismund as outposts between Trezze and Madonna di Dossobuono. Two companies of 10th Feld-Jäger Battalion posted at Moreschi. South of the main road, were the remaining three and a half companies of IR Sigisimund, with three guns at the entrance to the village. Four companies, 10th Feld-Jäger Battalion, with three guns, stood in the north-west of Santa Lucia and between there and San Massimo, mainly in the cemetery, while the hussars were positioned east of the village.
Brigade, Major-General Clam-Gallas
I/IR Prohaska (Nr.7)
I/IR Reisinger (Nr. 18)
Grenadier Battalion D’Anthon
Two squadrons, Hussar Regiment Radetzky (Nr.5)
2nd 6 Pounder Foot Artillery Battery
3,300 men, six guns – Two and a half companies of IR Prohaska were posted on the extreme left, near the Adige River, with three companies, IR Reisinger, to their right. In the area of Tomba, were placed the other three and a half companies, IR Prohaska, one hussar squadron, and four guns. In the hamlet of Roveggio, midway between Tomba and Santa Lucia, stood the remaining three companies of IR Reisinger. In reserve were the grenadier battalion, the second hussar squadron, and two guns. Also available were 15 guns of the I Corps Artillery, and a pioneer company.
Five major columns were assigned to attack the Rideau in the area between the villages of Santa Lucia, in the south, north to Croce Bianca. The deployment was as follows:
On the right was Lieutenant-General Di Ferrere’s Second Division, two columns marching from Custoza,and Villafranca. Baron Bava’s Centre Column, comprising Major-General Sommariva’s Aosta Brigade, Major-General Biscaretti’s Guards, the Bersaglieri, the Naval Infantry Battalion, and the Griffini Lombard-Piedmontese Battalion started from Sommacampagna. The Fourth Column, commanded by the Duke of Savoy, made up with the Regina and Cuneo Brigades, and, in the rear, the Cavalry Brigade of Gene
ral Sala departed from Sona, while the Savoy and Composite Brigades, Column Number Five, led by the latter’s commander, Major-General Conti, followed by General Robilant’s Cavalry Brigade, advanced from Santa Giustina.
The advance was made through terrain filled with mulberry trees and vineyards, criss-crossed by ditches, and very large dry stone walls, which hampered movement of great numbers of men, broke up their formations, and caused interminable delays. It was also extremely difficult to deploy either cavalry or artillery. Vision in many places was restricted beyond 100 paces.
Battle of Santa Lucia 0930, May 6 1948
Initial Piedmontese Moves
The first to move, at about 07:00, were Bava’s troops, accompanied by the King, followed by Trotti and the Regina Brigade at about 07:30. Bava’s advance from the west was first observed from Santa Lucia at around 08:30, when swarms of skirmishers with large columns behind them appeared, pushing the Austrian out posts before them. Cadet-Sergeant Johann Zwierzina, of III/IR Sigismund, on duty overnight, on the edge of the village of Santa Lucia, hearing shots that morning, upon occupying his allotted position, was amazed to see a completely unexpected visitor, as he much later related:
The 16th Company, in which I served as a Cadet-Feldwebel, was in a supporting position occupying the Casa Rizzari with the garden and an ancient lunette to defend, in case of enemy attack. The lunette was situated on the western exit of Santa Lucia at the road to Villafranca in front of the western exit of the garden.
On 6 May at about 6 AM, musket shots were being heard, and the pickets were withdrawing on their supports. I was ordered to the lunette with my platoon and had the mission to defend it, and in case of retreat, to barricade the entrance. Hardly had I arrived at this post, when his Imperial Highness, Archduke Franz Josef, our present King and Emperor, arrived in this lunette accompanied by two officers. At once a garden ladder was brought up and placed to the left of the entrance, so that His Imperial Highness could watch the advancing Piedmontese. The enemy was already commencing his artillery fire: at first on the two guns emplaced on the road, and then at the lunette. First, the shots went over our heads; then, they hit the garden wall corner, facing the road, and it seemed that the enemy guns were about to find their range on the spot His Imperial Highness, the Archduke had picked for his observation post; the shots were hitting ever nearer, which his Imperial Highness did not notice, as he was occupied with studying the engagement. As you will understand, my attention was divided; I was in the middle of directing my men’s fire, as well as admiringly watching His Imperial Highness’ cold bloodedness, who was under fire for the first time at Santa Lucia. At last, as one shot struck within about 4 yards of the position of H.I.H., I asked the two gentlemen accompanying him to get the Archduke to leave the lunette in regard to the danger. After some hesistation, H.I.H. left the ladder and the lunette, and one minute later, a cannon ball struck through the ladder into the wall. I did not know the two companions, because I had been in Italy since 1843, after I had left the Olmütz Cadet Company.7
As Trotti’s troops approached San Massimo, they came under fire from the four companies posted in buildings and farmsteads west of the village, as well as the two 12 pounders on the road there. At about 09:00, the Bersaglieri deployed, in an attempt to mask the deployment of Colonel Denegro’s 9th Infantry Regiment, supported by two sections of the 6th Field Artillery Battery, Lieutenant Celesia, with one gun on the road, and the three others which were, with great difficulty, deployed to the left. These guns were able to silence the Austrian pieces, enabling the Bersaglieri to advance. As this occurred, two couriers appeared, one from Baron Bava, and the other from General Franzini, both with orders for Trotti to move his force to the right to support the attack on Santa Lucia.
The Defence of Santa Lucia Cemetery, May 6th 1848 (Adam Brothers)
Trotti pushed the unengaged 10th Infantry Regiment, Colonel Montaldo, towards Santa Lucia, recalled Denegro’s Regiment, and screened by the Bersaglieri, moved in that direction. Approximately half-way there, Trotti began to pass wounded of the Aosta Brigade, and to hear the battle. In San Massimo, the defenders assumed that they had repulsed the attack.
First Attack on Santa Lucia
Initial orders had been for the attack on Santa Lucia to follow that on San Massimo, and for the assault to be made by the Cuneo Brigade. In the event, the attack was made before Trotti’s, and was conducted by General Sommariva’s Aosta Brigade, 5,423 strong, with whom both the King and General Bava were present. The attack began at about 09:30. The guns of the 8th Field Artillery Battery began to shell the defenders, forcing the Austrian guns to retire to a position near the cemetery. The battery commander, Captain Della Valle, was badly wounded in achieving this. One company of the 5th Infantry Regiment, in skirmish order attempted to advance against the village, and a company of the 6th Regiment, north of the road, probed towards the cemetery, as the remaining units of the Brigade were deploying in two lines. Neither was successful.
I/5th Regiment, Major Raiberti formed on the right of the road in line, with II/5th, Major Galea, to his right. III/5th, Major Bava, was in column behind these. To the left of the road were drawn up I/6th Regiment, Major Aitelli, in line, with II/6th, Major Comola, and III/6th, Major Galateri, behind them. The forming of the brigade, down to alignment on marker flags being completed as if on a parade ground, and with drums beating, the advance against Santa Lucia began.8
Defending the village were four companies of Colonel Karl von Kopal’s excellent 10th Feld-Jäger Battalion. In the early morning, 1/10th, Captain von Beckh-Widmanstetter, was deployed around the village school and 5/10th, Captain Ludwig Brand, in the fortified cemetery, with 6/10th, Captain Jablonsky, posted at the Sommacampagna Road entrance to the place, with three horse artillery guns. West of Santa Lucia, 3/10th, Captain Baron Lütgendorf provided the outposts, with 2/10th, Captain von Birkel, and 4/10th, Captain Rozelli posted between the approach roads to Sommacampagna and Villafranca, the approach routes of the Aosta, Casale ,and Acqui Brigades. These advanced units had fallen back before the Aosta Brigade.
Coming under fire from the defenders, the Brigade’s advance was halted to return fire, before it then continued. With losses beginning to mount, the march arrived within effective range of the defenders, and once again halted, this time to engage in a firefight. However, although the Kopal’s men were heavily outnumbered, they were well positioned, and, together with the guns, caused many more casualties to the brave Piedmontese than they themselves suffered.
In Parona, north of Chievo, at about 10:00, FML Count Wratislaw and his Chiefof-Staff, Lieutenant-Colonel Nagy were discussing defensive works around the fortress, when they heard heavy cannon fire to the south. It was clear to them that a major action was under way.
Lieutenant Pimodan, who was present that day, described the nature of the fighting here.
The road and the lanes which criss-crossed Santa Lucia were covered with bodies, the houses holed by cannon balls, the trees smashed, the church tower pierced right through, and the gardens full of debris and abandoned weapons. It had been a bloody affair, and the Piedmontese had fought bravely. During the battle, their officers could be seen dashing forward everywhere encouraging their men. Cries of: “Come on! Forward! Forward! Courage! Victory is ours!” could be heard in French all across the field. These courageous men were Savoyards of the Aosta Brigade, as I learned from letters found on the dead. Their officers and ours who were killed had stood in full view of the enemy. They had been struck full in the chest and their bodies pierced by several balls. It was a glorious struggle, fought with élan, unrelenting, as men only can, and victory was hard won. At the beginning, I was especially astonished to see how the Piedmontese boldly brought their guns right up into the midst of our skirmish line, and the speed with which, despite our fire, their sappers cut down the poplar trees alongside the road to protect the pieces from attack by our cavalry.9
The Piedmontese Guards Brigade at Santa Lucia, May 6th 1848 (G
rimaldi)
Second Attack on Santa Lucia
About 11:00, Biscaretti’s Guards Brigade, 3,394 strong, along with 150 men of the Naval Infantry Battalion, and six guns of 1st Position Battery, Captain Avogadro, began to arrive on Sommariva’s left. Three of Avogadro’s guns, escorted by the 1st Guard Battalion, Major Cavaliere Galliano, joined the guns of the 8th Field Battery in attempting to breach the walls of Santa Lucia Cemetery. As pressure mounted on the defence, the four companies of Grenadier Battalion D’Anthon were sent forward from Clam’s brigade, to be deployed in farms and buildings north-west of Santa Lucia. These Italian troops would prove their mettle.
As these moves took place, to the south, the leading regiment of the Casale Brigade, the 11th, Colonel Conti, was approaching, as were the Regina Brigade which, as we have seen, had been ordered from their attack on San Massimo to support the assault on Santa Lucia. In front of the village itself, the fighting continued, Colonel Manassero, 6th Regiments commander, being wounded in the leg. 1/6th Regiment, having been in the firing line for over an hour, was replaced by Major Comola’s II/5th. Comola, realising the costly futility of the firefight taking place, ordered a bayonet charge, whilst to his left, 3rd Guards Battalion, Major Cappai attacked the Austrian grenadier positions, and on his right, 5th Regiment joined the move. As it did so, the Colonel Caccia, that regiment’s commander had his horse killed under him. Immediately mounting another, he was himself badly wounded, dying that evening. Fighting was heavy, but at around 13:00, the cemetery and village were taken, to cries of ‘viva il Re, and viva l’Italia!’, and the milling mass of Piedmontese troops began to reform and disentangle the mixed up units. The loss of the village caused FML D’Aspre great concern for his Corps’ left flank.10
Croce Bianca
While these actions were being fought, further fighting had been taking place to the north. The Brigade of Savoy, Major-General D’Usillon, had arrived near Croce Bianca at around 11:30, and surveyed the enemy defences. The divisional commander, General Broglia, decided to wait for the arrival of the Composite Brigade before taking further action. At around the same time as Santa Lucia finally fell to the four brigades sucked into the fighting there, Broglia ordered the Composite Brigade to form on the left of the main road to Croce Bianca, and D’Ussilon’s troops on the right.
Radetzky's Marches Page 16