Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Joubert studied the topography around Alexandria on the way, immediately saying, “It seems Melas intends to attack Pavia to the north.”

Napoleon, however, was somewhat hesitant.

He couldn’t pinpoint the problem, but felt that everything was going a bit too smoothly.

This made him uncomfortable.

So he said to Garda, the cavalry camp leader, “Please send someone to carefully confirm the situation at the Bormida River, and then report back to me.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Garda obeyed and personally took half a company of cavalry scouts to the east bank of the Bormida River.

Soon, through the telescope, he saw large groups of Austrian engineers busy at work, with the western bridge deck already gone, just as previously reported.

However, the trees near the riverbank made it hard to see clearly, so he risked approaching the riverbank for a closer inspection.

Yet, when he was still over a kilometer away from the northern bridge, cannon fire suddenly erupted from the Austrian positions.

An oak tree beside him was hit by a shell, instantly splitting in two, with splinters scattering over the cavalry scouts.

Nervously glancing at the tree’s jagged break, Garda quickly used the telescope to look at the bridge, seeing that its western piers seemed to have been removed.

The distant cannon fire sounded again, and he dared not hesitate any longer, immediately turning his horse to retreat.

In the French camp, Napoleon looked at Garda and said, “Are you sure even the bridge piers were removed?”

“I am certain, Commander,” came the confident reply, “At least four main pillars are missing; that bridge is definitely ruined.”

Napoleon nodded, instructing Joubert, who was waiting in his tent, “You and the Toulouse Corps, Murat’s Corps, immediately head to Mede and be prepared for the Austrian Army to have already crossed the river.

“I will personally lead the troops from Pavia and arrive by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

Mede is a city located 6 kilometers north of the Tanaro River. If one were to intercept the Austrian Army crossing, the south side of Mede would be the best location.

“Yes, Commander!”

Just about to leave, Joubert thought of something and turned back to ask, “You didn’t mention the Lyon Corps just now?”

“No, leave them at San Gilliano,” Napoleon nodded.

“But this…”

Napoleon insisted, “That’s decided.”

He couldn’t quite explain why, but his instincts told him to guard against the east side of Alexandria.

At most, have the Lyon Corps positioned a bit further north and prepare logistics in advance, so within a day, they can reach Mede to join the battle.

It’s close to twilight.

The Bormida River was busier than during the day.

Hundreds of Austrian engineers were hauling large amounts of timber from the nearby woods, re-attaching it to the bridge piers.

Indeed, the piers of those two bridges weren’t dismantled; they were simply painted gray-black, making it hard to distinguish them from the embankment behind from a distance.

This tactic effectively misled Garda.

The next day at dawn, the bridges over the Bormida River were already repaired, and two new pontoon bridges were erected beside them.

The Meiras Army had completed its assembly, quietly crossing under the command of their officers without even blowing a bugle.

Cannons and heavy equipment crossed via the wooden bridge, while soldiers crossed the pontoon bridges.

In just two hours, 50,000 Aus Alliance Army troops with all their equipment were on the east bank of the Bormida River.

It was only then that Garda’s cavalry scouts discovered the Austrian movement during routine patrols.

Garda, unsure of the enemy’s situation, first sent a cavalry battalion to launch a probing attack, which was predictably quickly repelled.

Thus, the French finally realized Melas had played a deceptive trick.

The closest to the east bank of the Bormida River was Ogero, who hastily led over 4,000 soldiers from the Lyon Corps to intercept the enemies, sending word to Napoleon in Pavia for emergency assistance.

The Marmon’s Army immediately rushed to reinforce from the east.

Upon reaching the Marengo village border by the Bormida River, they finally encountered the Austrian Army vanguard.

In the temporary command post of the Aus Alliance Army, Melas listened to the staff officer’s report on the front line situation and his expression suddenly darkened:

“Why is there still a French Army here?”

He had seen tens of thousands amassing on the north bank of the Tanaro River, thinking he had fooled the French, only to be met with a sudden blow upon crossing the river.

The unexpectedly fierce French Army quickly scattered two of their front regiments.

Nearby, Chervoni pondered, “General, if there are only a few thousand French troops, it’s likely just a unit passing through here.”

With a grave expression, Melas nodded, “This is our only chance. We must rout them before the French realize!”

He looked at an Order Officer nearby, “Order the Argento Corps to make the main attack. The Genoa Legion and Coli Army flank the enemy from the left and right.

“Cannons, bring all the cannons forward.

“I demand full control of Marengo Village before noon!”

“Yes, General!”

In Marengo’s church, Ogero smiled easily, discussing battle plans around a map with officers, occasionally engaging in casual chat.

Through the series of battles in Italy, the French Army has built a huge psychological advantage over the Austrians.

Nearly every battle they’ve won by few over many, feeling the Austrians were completely ineffectual.

“Perhaps when Colonel Bonaparte arrives, we will have defeated Melas.”

Ogero was speaking when dense cannon fire sounded from the west.

He almost immediately discerned it was the sound of 12-pound cannons, and at least 15 of them, along with more 8-pound and 4-pound cannons.

A sudden concern gripped him.

Could it be Melas brought all his main forces here?

As if to confirm his suspicion, two cavalry scouts hurriedly arrived outside the church, loudly saying, “Commander, there are over 15,000 Austrians approaching from the west. Enemy signs have also been discovered from the north and south…”

Ogero, hot-tempered, spoke without any intention of retreat, instead looking at the officer beside him, loudly saying, “Major Bernard, your infantry regiment will directly block the enemy.

“Captain Bonnet will attack the flank of the enemy from the south side of the village, where the terrain is higher, offering concealment for the troops.

“Also, contact Major Marmon and have him come to reinforce immediately.”

“Yes, Commander!”

The Austrian Argentoratum Army was entirely unprepared when they arrived at the Marengo Village entrance, facing a proactive attack from a French Army numbering fewer than 3,000.

The French were incredibly fierce, six assault units charging headlong amid whizzing shells, quickly emerging less than a hundred paces from the Austrians.