Piave River 1809 order of battle facts for kids

The Piave River 1809 order of battle describes the armies that fought in the Battle of Piave River on 8 May 1809. This battle was part of the Napoleonic Wars, a series of major conflicts in Europe. In this battle, the Franco-Italian army, led by Eugène de Beauharnais, defeated the Austrian army, led by Archduke John of Austria.

Eugène's troops crossed the Piave River first. They were quickly attacked by Austrian cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and artillery (large guns). However, the French cavalry fought back and defeated the Austrian horsemen. They even captured 14 of the enemy's cannons! After this, there was a quiet period. Archduke John used this time to set up his infantry (foot soldiers) in a strong defensive position. Meanwhile, Eugène faced a challenge: the Piave River was rising, making it hard to send more soldiers across to support his troops.

In the afternoon, Eugène sent General Paul Grenier to attack the Austrian left side. At the same time, General Jacques MacDonald led an attack on the center of the Austrian line. These attacks worked! They broke through the Austrian defenses, forcing Archduke John to order his army to retreat. This battle was a key victory for the Franco-Italian forces.

What is an Order of Battle?

An order of battle is like a detailed list of all the military units and how they were organized for a specific battle. It tells you which generals were in charge, how many soldiers were in each group, and what types of weapons or units they had, like infantry, cavalry, or artillery. It helps historians understand how armies were structured and fought.

Franco-Italian Army: Who Was There?

Eugène de Beauharnais, the leader of the Franco-Italian Army.

The Franco-Italian Army was commanded by Eugène de Beauharnais, who was the viceroy (a ruler acting for a king) of the Kingdom of Italy. His army was made up of different parts, each with its own leader.

Advance Guard and Reserve Forces

These were the first troops to move and often led the way.

• Artillery: Led by General of Division Jean-Barthélemot Sorbier. They had powerful 12-pound guns.
• Advance Guard: Led by General of Brigade Joseph Marie, Count Dessaix. This group had about 4,980 soldiers and 4 guns. It included special "Voltiguers" (light infantry) and "Chasseurs à cheval" (light cavalry).
• Seras's Division: General of Division Jean Mathieu Seras commanded about 7,500 soldiers and 10 guns. This division had several regiments of "Line Infantry," which were the main foot soldiers.
• Italian Guard: General of Brigade Teodoro Lechi led 2,580 elite (best trained) Italian soldiers with 6 guns. This included "Velites" (light infantry), "Honor Guard" cavalry, "Chasseurs" (light infantry), "Grenadiers" (elite infantry), and "Dragoon" cavalry.

MacDonald's Corps: A Strong Force

Jacques MacDonald, one of Eugène's important generals.

General of Division Jacques MacDonald led a large group of about 14,580 soldiers with 24 guns. A "corps" is a large military unit made up of several divisions.

• 1st Division: Led by General of Division Jean-Baptiste Broussier. This division had many "Line Infantry" regiments.
• 2nd Division: Led by General of Division Jean Maximilien Lamarque. This division included "Light Infantry" and more "Line Infantry" regiments. Both divisions had their own artillery.

Grenier's Corps: Another Key Group

Paul Grenier, who led a successful attack on the Austrian left.

General of Division Paul Grenier commanded about 16,800 soldiers and 18 guns.

• 1st Division: Led by General of Brigade Louis Abbé. This division had "Light Infantry" and "Line Infantry" regiments, plus a squadron of "Dragoon" cavalry.
• 2nd Division: Led by General of Division Pierre François Joseph Durutte. This division also had "Light Infantry" and "Line Infantry" regiments. Each division had its own artillery.

Baraguey d'Hilliers' Corps: Italian and French Troops

Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers, another general in the Franco-Italian army.

General of Division Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers led a very large corps of 21,000 soldiers with 18 guns. This corps included many Italian units.

• 1st Division: Led by General of Division Achille Fontanelli. This division had several "Italian Line Infantry Regiments" and a "Dalmatian Infantry Regiment."
• 2nd Division: Led by General of Division Jean-Baptiste Dominique Rusca. This division included "Italian Light Infantry" and "Italian Line Infantry" regiments, along with French "Line Infantry" and "Dragoon" cavalry.

Grouchy's Cavalry: Horse Soldiers

Emmanuel Grouchy, who commanded the cavalry.

General of Division Emmanuel Grouchy commanded about 7,500 cavalry soldiers with 12 guns. Cavalry were very important for scouting, fast attacks, and chasing retreating enemies.

• Sahuc's Light Cavalry Division: Led by General of Division Louis Michel Antoine Sahuc. This division had "Chasseurs à cheval" (light horse hunters) and "Hussars" (another type of light cavalry).
• Pully's Dragoon Division: Led by General of Division Charles Randon de Pully. Dragoons were cavalry who could fight on horseback or on foot.
• Grouchy's Dragoon Division: Led by General of Brigade François Guérin d'Etoquigny. This was another division of dragoons.

Austrian Army: Archduke John's Forces

Archduke John of Austria, the commander of the Austrian Army.

The Austrian Army was called the Army of Inner Austria and was commanded by General der Kavallerie Archduke John of Austria.

Cavalry and Advance Guard: The First Defenders

• Artillery: Led by General-Major Anton Reisner. They had powerful 12-pound guns.
• Cavalry Division: Led by Feldmarschall-Leutnant Christian Wolfskeel von Reichenberg. This division included "Dragoon" and "Hussar" regiments, which were different types of cavalry.
• Advance Guard: Led by Feldmarschall-Leutnant Johann Maria Philipp Frimont. This group had about 4,380 soldiers and 16 guns. It included "Infantry Regiments," "Grenz Infantry" (border troops), and "Hussar" cavalry.

VIII Armeekorps: A Key Austrian Corps

Feldmarschall-Leutnant Albert Gyulai commanded about 7,020 soldiers with 12 guns.

• Colloredo's Brigade: Led by General-Major Hieronymus Karl Graf von Colloredo-Mansfeld. This brigade had "Infantry Regiments."
• Gajoli's Brigade: Led by General-Major Anton Gajoli. This brigade included "Infantry Regiments" and "1st Banal Grenz Infantry."
• Detached Cavalry: This included the "Ott Hussar Regiment."

IX Armeekorps: Another Large Austrian Force

Ignaz Gyulai, who led the IX Armeekorps.

Feldmarschall-Leutnant Ignaz Gyulai commanded a large corps of about 12,720 soldiers with 33 guns.

• Kalnássy's Brigade: Led by General-Major Johann Kalnássy. This brigade had "Infantry Regiments."
• Marziani's Brigade: Led by General-Major Franz Marziani. This brigade also had "Infantry Regiments."
• Gavasini's Brigade: Led by General-Major Alois von Gavasini. This brigade included "Ottocaner Grenz Infantry."
• Kleinmayer's Brigade: Led by General-Major Johann Peter Kleinmayer. This brigade had "Szluiner Grenz Infantry" and several "Grenadier Battalions" (elite infantry).
• Sebottendorf's Brigade: Led by General-Major Ignaz Sebottendorf. This brigade included "Graz Landwehr" (local militia) and a "Freikorps Battalion" (volunteer unit).

|