As these events unfolded, to Strassoldo’s right, Brigade Clam had reached the hamlet of Morsenchio, where Clam left one company of Gradiscaners, to guard the bridge across the River Lambro, there. He now attacked Castagnedo, defended by two battalions of Colonel Mollard’s 2nd Regiment. Supported by the fire of two howitzers, Colonel Baron Reischach led eight companies of his own IR Prohaska, and two companies of Gradiscaner Grenzer against the place, while three more Gradiscaner companies advanced on his right. Castagnedo was taken, but no further advance was, at this point, possible.
Before Nosedo, the Austrian guns had been able to suppress the Piedmontese battery, and Strassoldo launched a new attack. Three companies of Captain Lütgendorf’s 10th Feld-Jäger and Major Hartung’s I/IR Hohenlohe once again attacked Ca Gambaloita from east of the road, while the other three companies of the battalion, and II/IR Hohenlohe assaulted from the west, screened by dense vegetation. This swift and audacious charge was completely successful. Captain Cugia’s battery was overrun, seven of the guns being captured, and also making prisoner a Piedmontese staff officer, and two officers and 60 men of the 11th Regiment.35
On Strassoldo’s left, Major-General Edmund Schwarzenberg deployed in three columns, between Nosedo and Vigentino. 1, 2, and 4/ IR Kaiser, and 4/9th Feld-Jäger Battalion, with a half squadron of Kaiser Uhlans, and two guns, under Colonel Count Pergen, advanced upon Nosedo. On Pergen’s left, marched Captain Vogl, with 3, 5, and 6/ IR Kaiser, 3/9th Feld-Jäger Battalion, and two troops of Uhlans. In support, II/IR Kaiser formed Schwarzenberg’s left flank. His remaining troops formed his reserve.
Pergen’s advance was held up along the road at a large house, Ca Carpana, which was occupied by the outposts of III/12th Infantry Regiment, Major Blanchi di Roasio, the main body of which was in Nosedo. Schwarzenberg then dispatched 1 and 2/9th Feld-Jäger, four companies of IR Fürstenwärther, and Combined/IR Haugwitz. With the aid of these reinforcements, Ca Carpana was cleared, and Pergen moved on to Nosedo. Here, he prepared to attack the settlement. However, with pressure also building on his own left, Major Blanchi di Roasio abandoned Nosedo and withdrew. Under threat from this advance, the entire Casale Brigade pulled back to the area around Pilastro.
Captain Vogl’s continued advance on the Piedmontese right, now threatened the village of Vigentino, held by the 17th Infantry Regiment, Colonel Montale. Vogl, with his four companies, engaged in a firefight with Montale, and attempted an assault, which was repulsed, followed by another. Reinforced with two more Jäger companies, and II/ IR Kaiser, a third attack was successful in turning Montale’s left flank, forcing him to withdraw from Vigentino. He did so all the way to the Vigentino Gate of Milan, entering the city at 19:00. The colonel reported his losses for the entire regiment as one officer, wounded and taken prisoner, two men killed, and 14 NCOs and men wounded. 18th Infantry Regiment, Colonel Ansaldi, on Montale’s right, was forced to conform to this retreat. In the capture of Vigentino, one officer and 32 men were taken prisoner, but Captain Vogl severely wounded. The retreat of the Casale Brigade gave General Bava considerable concerns, and he supported the brigade with I/ Guard Cacciatori, Captain Sassu. Desultory firing here continued for some time, with I/Oguliner Grenzer reportedly capturing one gun.36
On the Austrian right wing, after the capture of Castagnedo, Brigade Clam had been held in check before Ca Besana, just to the west. At about noon, the flying column of Colonel Wyß, two squadrons of Radetzky Hussars, two of Archduke Carl Uhlans, and three guns of the 2nd Horse Battery, had come up on Clam’s right, having been reinforced with two companies of IR/Archduke Carl. Wyß took position on the right of the Savoy Brigade, and opened an engagement with his guns. Later, Clam was also reinforced with five companies of IR Latour, and proceeded to advance, pushing back the Savoy Brigade along the line north of Pilastro.
At around 17:00, orders were given for the Piedmontese Army to retire within the walls of the city. As these instructions were implemented, the cannonade continued, though with little practical effect. Firing finally began to die down at around 22:00.
Losses in this long and disjointed series of encounters were very, indeed amazingly, light on both sides. One major reason for this was, as mentioned, the topography. Rapid movements with large numbers of men were almost impossible to control and/or co-ordinate. Once an attack had broken down for any reason, it took both sides a great deal of time to reorganise before any further movement.
Austrian losses were:
Killed
One officer and 39 men
Wounded
11 officers and 187 men
Missing
73 men
Total
12 officers and 302 men
The highest loss for a regiment was IR Prohaska, with six men killed, four officers and 30 men wounded, and eight men missing. For a single battalion, the highest loss was from 10th Feld-Jäger Battalion, with three men killed, and one officer and 39 men wounded.
Piedmontese casualties were:
Killed
Five officers and 37 men
Wounded
10 officers and 218 men
Prisoners
Four officers and 142 men
Total
19 officers and 397 men37
The Surrender of Milan, and the Armistice of Salasco
Following the retreat into Milan, a Council of War was convened by Carlo Alberto, at his new Headquarters in the Greppi Palace. At this discussion, it was generally agreed that a shortage of both artillery and small arms ammunition, as well as low stocks of food were critical matters. In addition, little in the way of optimism was offered on the chances of a victorious conclusion to any further fighting. The day’s events had shown that the army would not, in its current state, fight. The decision was made to seek terms from Marshal Radetzky. One of the King’s aides, Major-General Lazzari, and the Director of Artillery, General Rossi, were sent to the Austrian Headquarters, along with the Consuls of Great Britain and France, Messrs. Campbell and De Reiset, respectively, who wished to request a cease-fire to enable their nationals in Milan to leave the city.
This was no simple matter. Not only was it dark, but rain was also pouring down. In addition, the Milanese, in anticipation of the struggle, had thrown up hundreds of barricades. Nevertheless, the party did somehow reach Radetzky’s headquarters. There, the Marshal first spoke to Carlo Alberto’s emissaries, who proposed the surrender of the city, and the other conditions which he had initially demanded. The Marshal, in turn, agreed that there would be no reprisals in Milan, and that all who wished to leave, were free to do so within 24 hours. Austrian troops would take possession of the Porta Romana, the gate on the main road to Melegnano, (through S. Danato) at 08:00 on August 5th. The agreement was to be signed, and returned to Imperial Headquarters by 16:00 that afternoon. He then informed the two Consuls of these arrangements.
By 06:00, Rossi and Lazzari were back at the Greppi Palace, and had already confirmed the details with the King, when the information was presented to the Lombard civil and military (National Guard) authorities. The effect of this fete accompli can easily be imagined. Francesco Restelli, a Milanese lawyer, and one of the three members of the Committee of Public Defence, hurled abuse at the King and his generals, calling them traitors, before storming out of the building.38 Carlo Alberto, who had throughout the day appeared where the firing was heaviest, mystic, naïve and odd as he was, must have been confused by the accusation. He appeared, to some, to have been seeking a death in battle.
Rumours of these events were, of course, soon on the streets. Crowds gathered near the Greppi Palace as the municipal authorities argued with the King about the capitulation. Carlo Alberto’s vacillation once again came to the fore, and he agreed that resistance to the enemy would be continued. While this, for the moment, quietened the assembling masses, the Milanese representatives, led by Pompeo Litta and Luigi Anelli fully understood that they needed to keep the King effectively ‘in custody’, so that he did not again chang
e his mind. In addition to the few Piedmontese troops at the palace, a detachment of National Guards was assigned to ‘guard’ the King.
While these events occurred, however, other groups of more moderate views, including the Mayor and the Archbishop, were unconvinced by the view that the city either could or should prolong its resistance. These two men, with three other city officials, made their way to Radetzky’s headquarters in San Donato, arriving there a little after 16:00, just as the Austrians were preparing to resume hostilities. The Convention was ratified, and subsequently signed by the two Chiefs of Staff, FML Hess, and Lieutenant-General Salasco, and Mayor Bassi.
In the meanwhile, the crowds outside the Greppi Palace had been once again working themselves into a fury. Count Bava, upon leaving the building to return to his troops in the light of the King’s change of mind, was roughed up making his way through the mob. The crowd’s mood worsened, and the guard outside the building was forced inside, one man being killed. A little after 21:00, Mayor Bassi, naively unaware of recent events, arrived at the Palace and from the balcony announced the capitulation. As the enraged mob outside gathered materials to burn or blow up the building, Colonel Alfonso La Marmora and Lieutnant Luigi Torelli escaped, and were able to return with a company of Bersaglieri, and one of the Guards. In the face of these, the mobs withdrew into side streets, seething with anger, allowing the King and the others to be escorted to safety.39
Colonel Della Rocca saw the King leave the Palace:
We arrived at the Greppi Palace as the King crossed the threshold. He was on foot, deadly pale, and aged in face and figure. He held his sword tightly under his arm, and when he saw me, said (In French), ‘Ah, my dear La Rocca, what a day; what a day.’
I shall never forget the tone of his voice.40
At about 03:00, on August 6th, the Royal Army began its withdrawal to the west. It would be joined by probably some 60.000 refugees. Marshal Radetzky, behind an advance guard, entered the city at 10:00, at the head of D’Aspre’s II Corps. Two days later, he issued an Order of the Day to his soldiers, which ended,
You have hastened from victory to victory; and in the short space of fourteen days, advanced victoriously from the Adige to the Ticino. From the walls of Milan the Imperial Banner again waves; no enemy any longer stands upon the territory of Lombardy.41
On the 9th, a formal armistice was signed between the Empire and the Kingdom of Sardinia. Concluded by the respective Chiefs of Staff, FML Hess and Lieutenant-General Salasco, it became known as the Armistice of Salasco. Concluded in French, as was normal, it had the following provisions:
Article 1
The demarcation between the two armies shall be the frontiers of the respective states.
Article 2
The fortresses of Peschiera, Rocca D’Anfo, and Osoppo are to be evacuated by the Sardinian and allied troops, and surrendered to the Austrian troops. The surrender will take place three days after the publication of the present convention. The materiel of war belonging to the Austrians is to be restored to them.
Article 3
The States of Parma, Modena, and the city of Piacenza, are to be cleared of the troops of His Majesty, The King of Sardinia, in three days after the publication of this convention. The withdrawing garrison shall take with it all the materiel of war, arms, ammunition, and regimentals, which it has brought there, and shall return to the Sardinian states by the shortest route.
Article 4
This convention extends even to the City and to the whole Province of Venetia; therefore the Sardinian forces by water and land will leave Venice, the forts, and ports, and return to the Sardinian States.
Article 5
Persons and property in the above-mentioned cities shall be put under the protection of the Imperial Government.
Article 6
This truce will continue for six weeks, to enable arrangements of a peace to be completed. After the expiration of this time, the truce will be lengthened by a mutual consent, or otherwise to be revoked at least eight days before the commencement of hostilities.
Article 7
Commissioners are to be nominated by both parties, to effect the execution of the above-mentioned articles in the best and most friendly manner.
(Given) At Headquarters in Milan, 9th August 1848
Lieutenant-General Hess,
Quartermaster-General of the Army of His Imperial Majesty
Count Salasco, Lieutenant-General and
Chief of Staff, Royal Sardinian Army42
Bombardment and Capitulation of Peschiera
Since the Battle of Custoza, the fortress of Peschiera had been loosely invested by elements of Count Thurn’s III Corps, which Radetzky had delegated to retake it. The forces initially deployed for this, under the overall command of Major-General Mastrović, were the following:
On the East Bank of the Mincio, Major-General Mastrović
III/Vienna Volunteers
1st Feld-Jäger Battalion (two companies)
One wing, Liechtenstein Chevauxlegers
½ Rocket Battery Nr.6
Three 6 pounder cannon
On the West Bank of the Mincio, Lieutenant-Colonel Hohenbruck
Kaiser Jäger (three companies)
IR Wellington (four companies)
IR Archduke Ludwig (10 companies)
IR Baden one company) – guarding the bridge at Salionze
1½ squadrons, Liechtenstein Chevauxlegers
Six Pounder Battery Nr. 11 (four guns)
Six Pounder Battery Nr. 12 (four guns)
½ Rocket Battery Nr. 1
½ Rocket Battery Nr. 2
Inside Peschiera, General Federici, Commander of the Fortress, had 1,050 men of the garrison, roughly half artillery and half sappers, fit for duty, with 60 naval gunners, and 600 men of the 4th Provisional Regiment, commanded by Colonel Delfino. After detachments had been assigned to the Mandella and Fort Salvi, about 550 men remained in the main fortress. A total of 74 pieces of ordnance is given by Fabris, as being in battery on July 20th, with this then rapidly increasing to 104. His list of pieces, however, lists 19 32 pounder cannon, 12 24 pounder cannon, 11 eight inch howitzers, one eight inch siege howitzer, and six 10 inch mortars.43
Since Custoza and Volta, it had become obvious that more aggressive Austrian moves against Peschiera would come. As a result, steamers had begun to transport sick and wounded men across the lake to Salò. On July 27th, a reconnaissance from the fortress moved west along the southern shore of Lake Garda, towards Desenzano. No Austrian troops were encountered.
The following day, the encroachment of Austrian artillery at San Benedetto, a mere two kilometres west of the fortress, prevented the further employment of the steamers, armed or otherwise. On the same day, Major Fantoni with 100 infantrymen, and eight men of the Royal Piedmont Cavalry, attempted a raid, to obtain Austrian provisions, but was unsuccessful. On subsequent days, batteries began to be constructed around Peschiera, with periodic shelling from the defenders.
As a result of the increased Austrian presence on the south shore of Lake Garda, on the night of August 6th, a force composed of the Borra, Manara, and Kamiensky Legions, of Major-General Giacomo Durando’s division, some 2,000 mostly Lombard volunteers in all, were despatched on a sweep south and eastwards, towards Peschiera. In the early hours of that morning, an Austrian reconnaissance was also undertaken. Major Vogel, with 7th Feld-Jäger Battalion, a half squadron of Liechtenstein Chevauxlegers, and the 4th Rocket Battery moved in the direction of Salò, on the western shore of Lake Garda. III/IR Baden, Lieutenant-Colonel Count Favancourt, a half squadron of Liechtenstein Chevauxlegers, and two guns, were similarly tasked.
Vogel, in the lead, with one and a half companies moved towards Desenzano, while the head of Favancourt’s column, 14/IR Baden, Captain Engel, advanced on Vogel’s left, through Lonato, and then north. At around 05:00, Engel encountered the main enemy force at Gavardo, six kilometers southwest of Salò. Maintaining remarkable composure, Engel’s me
n were pushed slowly all the way back to Desenzano, where they were close to being overwhelmed, when Major Vogel arrived in support, his rocket battery causing great concern amongst the volunteers’ ranks. As the other units of Favancourt and Vogel’s forces were seen to be approaching, Manara and Borra ordered a withdrawal. Kamiensky had been wounded. The Lombards returned to Gavardo. Austrian casualties were:
7th Feld-Jäger Battalion
eight men wounded
14/IR Baden
two men killed, and eight wounded
4th Rocket Battery
one man wounded
Lombard casualties are unknown, but the Austrians took seven men prisoner.44
FML Haynau was assigned to the command of III Corps on August 9th, which, of course, included the conduct of operations against Peschiera. That same afternoon, Engineer Captain Bojanović was sent by Haynau to acquaint General Federici with the current general situation, and in the light of this information, to request the surrender of the fortress. A reply was requested within two hours. Federici’s noble reply was that he would only give up the fortress upon receipt of a written order from his King.
Bojanović left the fortress at about 18:40, and 20 minutes later, a bombardment began from a total of 52 guns and ten rocket tubes. The defenders replied, and the shelling continued for an hour and a half, before dying away. Fire was resumed at 05:00, the next morning, gradually diminishing in strength after around 09:00. At about 10:30, a mortar bomb fell on a powder and shell store, near the Verona Gate, killing three artillerymen, wounding others, and also damaging the wall. A human chain managed to remove some 1,200 shells to safer magazines, before even more damage was done.
The bombardment was halted at around 19:00, FML Haynau having received a despatch for General Federici from General Salasco. In this despatch, Salasco made Federici aware of the Armistice, and ordered him to surrender the fortress within three days. The terms of the capitulation were agreed by Lieutenant-General Federici and FML Haynau, in Cavalcaselle, at 15:00 on August 11th. The next morning, the garrison was evacuated, and possession of the fortress taken by FML Lichnowsky.
Radetzky's Marches Page 38