The Battle of Rivoli 14 January 1797

The Austrians launched their attack on the Trombasore heights at the break of dawn on 14 January. For two frightful hours they engaged Joubert’s men in a frontal battle so tense that his presence was needed at the very front. The losses were of course high and included Joubert’s horse, which, hit by an enemy bullet, collapsed right under him.

The Austrians broke through the French left and penetrated all the way to the Rivoli plateau. Had it not been for the arrival of reinforcements under the command of Massena, Napoleon might have lost his stronghold.

Meanwhile, however, the men further towards the right had run into trouble and when an entire French brigade fell back along the crest of Mt.Magnone, further aggravating the situation for Napoleon, for a while it seemed as if only a miracle would prevent the Austrians in the valley from erupting on to the open plateau.

Doing everything within his powers to avert disaster, Joubert rushed back and forth between the local hot spots. In the centre he encountered the chief of staff Berthier organising the retreat, and at Mt. Ceredello he mustered a counter-attack, never losing sight of the severely battered brigade desperately trying to hold on to the crest.