La Bataille de Deutsch Wagram 1809

The French Army of Italy: A Remembrance 1792 to 1814

retirement as a military advisor to the young Viceroy Eugene. The choice of MacDonald proved to be advantageous to both the republican general and Eugene.

The Austrians in 1809 were again under the Archduke John. Austria had significant territorial aspirations to recover lands lost in the 1805 campaign. The Austrians had also hoped to divert the considerable French resources in Italy from making an appearance in the Danube Valley. Eugene started his campaign by losing to John at Sacile on April 16. However, Eugene would be a quick learner under the tutelage of MacDonald. There were several smaller battles that were not decisive. But then The Army of Italy defeated John at Caldiero (there were several battles at Caldiero in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars). Afterwards, John then felt compelled to leave Italy and try to reconnect with his brother’s main army in the Danube Valley. However, Eugene continued to apply pressure on John’s army; and John retreated into Hungary to cover Karl’s strategic left flank. On June 14, Eugene met John at Raab in Hungary. Eugene scored a substantial French victory on the anniversary of Marengo and Friedland, and was able to push John away from Charles’ army. Eugene’s army and MacDonald were able to join Napoleon before Wagram, where The Army of Italy contributed to Napoleon’s victory. The Army of Italy served with distinction in Russia—especially at Maloyaroslavets in October 1812, but by that battle, The Army of Italy had shrunk to a shadow of its June starting strength. Eugene, after bringing the remnants of La Grande Armee back to the Elbe in Germany in 1813, went back to Italy where another army would be formed. An Italian division raised in early 1813 was sent to serve with Bertrand’s corps in Germany. There, the division served through Leipzig before it evaporated due to its losses. Eugene was able to put together four divisions of troops in Italy for the Kingdom, but the formations were generally undersized and not very reliable. Eugene was secured for the first few months of 1813 by the knowledge that the Austrians were still neutral. When the Austrian joined the Coalition in August there were a series of smaller actions in the Illyrian provinces that were generally in favor of the Austrian General Hiller. Now Eugene’s army was plagued by desertion and poor leadership. By October, Eugene has lost the Illyrian Provinces and would slowly be pushed back in Northern Italy. Served With Distinction in Russia

Marshal Enterprises Page 4 of 5