Radetzky's Marches
Page 26
3
See Appendix V.
4
D’Azeglio, pp. 5-6.
5
Indeed, as late as the 30th, troops of Ferrari’s division were refusing to cross the river for lack of basic essentials, Ovidi, p. 75, and quoted in Berkeley, Vol. III, p. 243.
6
Ibid, pp. 69-70.
7
Fabris, Vol. II, pp. 257-258.
8
Grüll, pp. 497-498, Kriegbegebenheiten, Vol. IV, pp.6-7, Fabris, Vol II, pp. 257-259, and Hilleprandt, ‘1848’, 1865, Vol II, pp. 155-156. The latter mistakenly places Captain Grimm’s company at Visco that morning.
9
Hilleprandt ‘1848’, 1865 Vol. II, pp. 158-160 and 289, Grüll, pp. 500-504, and Fabris, Vol. II, pp. 261-265.
10
Incredibly, at this point, neither La Marmora nor his Staff even had horses, Raccolta per ordine di tutti…, Vol. III, p. 159.The situation was quickly rectified, possibly by legal means.
11
Grüll, p. 210, and Rüstow, pp. 126-127.
12
Raccolta per ordine, p. 160, and Degli Alberti, pp. 47-51. Raccolta also states that the original intention was to destroy only three spans of the Priula Bridge, but that the strong wind spread the fire.
13
Biedenfeld, p. 190.
14
D’Azeglio, Precis, p. 7, and Montecchi, Document 30, pp. 84-85.
15
Ibid, pp.8-9.
16
D’Agostini, pp. 447-448, Hilleprandt ‘1848’, 1865, Vol III, p. 302, Grüll, pp. 520-521, Jäger, corpi militari, p. 39 and Marchesi, p. 164.
17
Ibid, pp. 77-78. Compare the inevitable slight differences with D’Azeglio, above.
18
Stanka, Geschichte…Erzherzog Carl Nr. 3, Vol. I, p. 522.
19
Montecchi, p. 24, and D’Azeglio, p. 10. Ravioli times Ferrari’s letter at 21:45.
20
Ibid, pp. 26 and 107.
21
Barbini, p. 8, quoting Volunteer Angelo Mangani.
22
Corso, La carica, pp. 17-22, Damiana-Muller, p. 80, and, Stanka, pp. 524-525. It is clear that a squadron was brought up, but only two troops charged.
23
Ibid, p. 9.
24
D’Azeglio, pp. 10-11. A deputation from the municipal authorities of Cornuda also reported that, by 16:00, the volunteers had, ‘…ceased to fire, and so abandoned their camp.’, Giacomellii, p. 121.
25
Marchesi, p. 164.
26
Ravioli, pp. 28-35, Marchesi, pp. 163-165, Corso, pp. 17-22, Hilleprandt, ‘1848’, 1865, Vol. III, pp. 304-306, Grüll, pp. 517-520. The Papal dragoons are probably not included in Ferrari’s presumed losses.
27
Ravioli, p. 35, says 15,000, but this figure must include Durando’s troops as well.
28
Only 11 companies of these two battalions were present, as one company had been left to guard the newly built bridge over the Piave.
29
Ravioli, pp. 35-36.
30
Montecchi, p. 35.
31
Hilleprandt, ‘1848’, 1865, Vol. III, p. 308, and Pinelli, p. 381, and Ravioli, p. 37.
32
Ibid, pp, 306-308, Grüll, pp. 524-525, Schneidawind, pp. 337-338, Treuenfest, Regimentes Nr. 47, pp. 575-576, Ravioli, pp. 35-38, Montecchi, pp. 34-36, and Borel-Vaucher, pp. 89-94. The latter speaks of seeing a prisoner, ‘…one poor Croat, wounded in the head…’, p. 90.
33
Montecchi, Ferrari, Document 74, p. 125.
34
Hilleprandt, ‘1848’, 1865, Vol. III, pp. 313-314.
35
Hilleprandt, ‘1848’, 1865, Vol. III, pp. 321-323, Grüll, pp. 534-536, Kriegsbegebenheiten, Part IV, pp. 40-44, Thurn, pp. 19-23, Fabris, Vol. 2, pp. 340-345, Ravioli, pp. 45-55. Grüll mistakenly attributes the action to May 23rd.
36
Grüll, pp. 546-547.
37
Pieri, p. 393, Stanka, p. 526, and Steiner, p. 87.
38
Figures valid, May 18th, Kriegsbegebenheiten, 1848, Part. IV, p 55.
39
One tantalising question hangs over the action of May 2nd. Had Hablitschek’s troops not been ordered to withdraw, might the fighting in the Cadore have ended that day?
40
Kriegsbegebenheiten, 1848, Part IV, p 70.
12
The Strategic Moment
On June 3rd, the day after the fall of Peschiera to the Piedmontese was confirmed, the main Austrian army struggled through the mud back to Mantua. That morning, news had arrived of further civil disorder in Vienna, which, along with the rain and the concentration of enemy forces before them, fully demonstrated that a further advance against Carlo Alberto at the present time, even if possible, would be most unwise.
During that morning, worrying reports also came in from patrols, stating that Baron Zobel’s brigade on the Rivoli Plateau was shortly to be attacked by greatly superior forces, thus threatening the lines of communication with the Tirol. This was a particularly worrying development, as were that link to be cut, without considerably extending the requisition range, there would only be supplies of food enough for five days. The reports themselves proved to be inaccurate, but gave the Marshal deep cause for concern. Once in Mantua, Radetzky reflected upon his situation, and, remarkably quickly, formulated a plan. In consideration of all relevant information, and unable, for the moment to defeat the Piedmontese, he would instead clear his own lines of communication by finally taking Vicenza, before returning to the main front. This would require another major effort, and would mean, for a short time, denuding the defences of Verona. The die was cast.1
The whole of the 4th of June was given over to rest for both men and animals, while the orders were drawn up for the nearly 100 kilometre march. The operation would commence early on the morning of the 5th of June, and the units should be in place around Vicenza by the early morning of the 10th. The orders stipulated that I and II Corps would march at 03:00 the next day, to be followed by the Reserve (III) Corps at 05:00. By the evening, III Corps was to reach Nogara, I Corps, Bovolone (10 kilometres northwest of Nogara), and II Corps, Sanguinetto (six kilometres west of Nogara).
Leaving the hard used Benedek Brigade in the fortress, along with the garrison, the designated units moved off on schedule. Behind the leading brigade of II Corps, marched the 1st, 11th, 12th, and ¼ of the 9th Pioneer Companies, with two and ¾ bridging trains. On the 6th, all three corps broke camp at 03:00. III Corps (11,900 men) now moved directly to Verona, arriving there about 17:00, while I Corps (8,000), crossed the River Adige, north of Legnago, on a pontoon bridge. II Corps, together with Cavalry Brigade Schaffgotsche, and the I Corps Artillery reserve (17,100) crossed the river at Legnago, and then pushed on to Montagnana.
June 7th was designated as a rest day for the main body, but that evening, the large brigade (“Qua Division”) of Major-General Culoz left Verona and headed directly for Vicenza. The following day, all the marches continued, and by the evening of the 9th, the entire force was encamped around the city. Including troops held in reserve and still on the march, a total of some 31,000 Austrian troops surrounded Vicenza on the morning of June 10th.2
Operations in Western Venetia, May 20–June 10 1848
THE BATTLE OF VICENZA 10TH JUNE 1848
Positions and Plans
Austrian
Approaching the city from the south, along the road through the Berici Hills, was the brigade of Major-General Culoz, which started its move at 03:00, Culoz being anxious to get to grips with the enemy. His brigade, a strong one, comprised:
I (two companies) and III/ IR Latour
II/Oguliner Grenz Infantry Regiment
I (three companies)/Banal Grenz Infantry
I and II/IR Reisinger
Two squadrons, Windischgrätz Chevauxleger Regiment
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Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 5 – four guns
Rocket battery Nr. 4 – five rocket tubes
Total: 4 battalions, five companies, two squadrons, two batteries – 5,400 men
To Culoz’ right, along the roads to the east of the Berici Hills, marched two more brigades, and elements of another. These were:
A. West of the Bacchiglione River
Brigade Clam-Gallas
I and II/IR Prohaska
I/Gradiscaner Grenz Infantry Regiment
Two squadrons, Radetzky Hussar Regiment
Horse Artillery battery Nr. 3 – six guns
Total: three battalions, two squadrons, one battery – 2,347 men
Brigade Strassoldo
10th Feld-Jäger Battalion
II/IR Hohenlohe
Two squadrons, Radetzky Hussar Regiment
Foot Artillery Battery Nr. 2 – six guns
Total: one battalion, two squadrons, one battery – 1,775 men
B. East of the Bacchiglione River
Brigade Wohlgemuth and Artillery Reserve
IV/Kaiserjäger
I and II/Archduke Sigismund
I/Oguliner Grenz Infantry Regiment
Two squadrons, Radetzky Hussar Regiment
Foot Artillery Battery Nr. 8
Artillery Reserve (I Corps and Army)
Total: four battalions, two squadrons, seven and 2/3 batteries – 3,500 men
West of these troops, from the southwest, came the column of Colonel Török, with a detachment of Brigade Friedrich Liechtenstein, composed of II/Kaiserjäger, three squadrons of the Reuss Hussar Regiment, and three artillery batteries. Behind Török, came another brigade:
Brigade Ferdinand Simbschen
I and II/IR Piret
I/2nd Banal Grenz Infantry
III/IR Haugwitz
Two squadrons, Reuss Hussar Regiment
Foot Artillery Battery Nr. 6
Total: four battalions, two squadrons, one battery – 4,200 men
Later, and further to the north, came three additional brigades of II Corps, the main body of Brigade Friedrich Liechtenstein, and those of S. Gyulai, and W. Taxis. The first two marched towards their objective, the city’s Padua Gate. They comprised:
Brigade Friedrich Liechtenstein
8th Feld-Jäger Battalion
9th Feld-Jäger Battalion
I and II/IR Franz Carl
One squadron Reuss Hussar Regiment
Cavalry Battery Nr. 2 – six guns
Howitzer Battery Nr. 1
Field Mortar Battery
Total: four battalions, one squadron, two and 2/3 batteries – 4,495 men (inclusive of Colonel Török’s detachment)
Brigade Gyulai
11th Feld-Jäger Battalion
II/Warasdiner St George Grenz Infantry
I and II/ IR Archduke Ernst
One squadron, Kaiser Uhlan Regiment
Foot Artillery Battery Nr. 5 – six guns
Corps Artillery Reserve (II Corps)
Total: four battalions, one squadron, two and ½ batteries – 3,700 men
The most northerly column approaching the city, towards the Santa Lucia Gate, was that of Prince Taxis, whose troops comprised:
Brigade Taxis
I and II/IR Kaiser
I and II/IR Haugwitz
One squadron, Kaiser Uhlan Regiment
Foot Artillery Battery Nr. 4 – six guns
Total: four battalions, one squadron, one battery – 3,600 men
Papal and Volunteer
Facing this array, General Durando had deployed his forces as follows:
Western Slopes of Monte Berico – Refise Hill
Venetian and Paduan Volunteers, Major Scarselli
300
I/1st Foreign Regiment (less one company), Major Balletta
707
II/2nd Foreign Regiment, Major De Glutz
650
3rd Roman Civic Legion, Colonel Gallieno
1,000
Two field guns, Vicenza Civic Artillery, Lieutenant Molari (Bericocoli)
Two field guns, Roman Civic Artillery, Lieutenant Federico (Bericocoli)
Two carronades, Venetian Naval Artillery (Southernmost point of the artillery defence, at Cascina Nuevo)
Total
2,657
Eastern Slopes of Monte Berico – Bacchiglione Hill
Volunteers of Cadore
270
Faenza Civic Guard Battalion, Major Pasi
650
Roman University Battalion, Major Ceccarini
400
Bersaglieri of the Po, Captain Mosti
100
Total
1,420
Total on Monte Berico
4,077
At the Monte Gate
Detachment of the Vicenza Civic Guard, Captain Count Corto
100
Detachment of Papal Cacciatori Regiment, Captain Lopez
120
Grenadier Company, I/1st Foreign Regiment, Captain Schmid
130
Two field guns, Foreign Battery, Lieutenant Mauri
One field gun, one howitzer, Indigenous Battery, Lieutenant Lipari (in the suburb outside the gate)
Total
350
In the Padua Quarter and Gate
1st Roman Civic Legion, Colonel Del Grande
1,200
(Roman Battalion, the barricade; Ancona Battalion, adjacent buildings)
Cacciatori Company, I/2nd Foreign Regiment, Captain Loffinghe
118
Roman Foot Carabinieri, Captain Nicoletti
400
One field gun, and one howitzer, one rocket battery,
Vicenza Artillery, Lieutenant Chiavacci
One field gun and one howitzer, Foreign Battery, Captain
Calandrelli
Two field guns, Foreign Battery, Quartermaster Raymond
Total
1,718
Covering Palamaio
Venetian Finanziari Company, Captain Ticozzi
80
In the Scroffa Quarter and Gate
Volunteers of the Cadore,
90
Two companies, I/2nd Foreign Regiment, Captains Meyer de
Chauensee and Weingartner
210
One field gun, Indigenous Battery
Total
300
In the Santa Lucia Quarter and Gate
Basso Reno Battalion, Major Rossi
600
Company, I/1st Foreign Regiment,
110
One field gun, Indigenous Battery, Lieutenant Raspi
Two field guns, Bologna Civic Artillery, Lieutenant Atti
Total
710
At the San Bortolomeo Gate
6th Fusilier Battalion (Indigenous), Lieutenant-Colonel Pietremellara
400
Two companies, I/2nd Foreign Regiment
240
One howitzer, Foreign Battery, Warrant Officer Lisier
One field gun, Bologna Civic Artillery, Lieutenant Angelucci
Total
640
At Santa Croce Gate (facing Monte Crocetta)
Three fortress cannon, Vicenza Artillery
At the Nuovo and Castle Gates and Quarter
Papal (Indigenous) Cacciatori Regiment, Colonel Bini (minus a detachment)
880
Four fortress cannon, Venetian Artillery
At the Monte Field and Lupia Gate
Vicentine and Bolognese Volunteers
160
Detachment, Papal (Indigenous) Cacciatori Regiment,
200
Two carronades, Venetian Naval Artillery, Colonel Zanelatto
Total
360
Additional troops
Commanding General, and Staff
51
Engineers and Pioneers, Major Cerroti
150
Civic Artillery (Roman, Vincentine and Bolognese)
1
65
Papal Indigenous Artillery
134
Papal Foreign Artillery
140
Mounted Carabinieri
140
Line and Civic Cavalry, Colonel Lanci
240
Battle of Vicenza, June 10 1848
Durando had his reserve, II/1st Foreign Regiment (800), Major Weber, and two companies of I/2nd Foreign Regiment (240), Captain Stockalper, along with the remaining guns of the Papal and Civic artillery batteries, in the main square. In addition, also here were two field guns and a howitzer of the Foreign Battery, one gun of the Indigenous Battery, and another of the Bologna Civic Artillery, making a total number of 36 guns available to the defenders:
Total Troops:
Infantry
10,255
Cavalry
380
Artillery
439
Other
211
Total Papal, Civic, and Volunteer Troops
11,2753
The key to the city, as shown on May 23rd, and its highest point, was Monte Berico, Success or failure would largely depend on what happened here. An unnamed Austrian officer in IR Reisinger, writing a in letter a few days later, which was subsequently published in the Wiener Zeitung, stated that: