November 15–17, 1796 · Venetian territory, Northern Italy Theater
November 15–17, 1796
The three-day Battle of Arcola was one of the most dramatic and personal engagements of Napoleon's Italian campaign. Attempting to relieve the besieged garrison of Mantua, the Austrian army under Alvintzy repeatedly crossed the Adige River seeking a passage around the French position. At the critical moment on the first day, the French assault on the Arcola bridge faltered under Austrian fire — and Napoleon himself seized a flag, rushed forward, and led the attack onto the bridge. He was knocked into the marshy riverbank. His staff dragged him out; two officers died covering his escape. Eventually French forces found an alternate crossing and flanked the Austrian position, winning the battle by maneuver rather than frontal assault.
Commanders