Second Battle of Novi (1799) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Second Battle of Novi (1799)
Date 24 October 1799 Location Novi Ligure, present-day Italy 44°45′42″N 8°47′26″E / 44.76167°N 8.79056°E / 44.76167; 8.79056 Result French victory
Belligerents
France with Polish Legions	Habsburg monarchy
Commanders and leaders
L. Gouvion Saint-Cyr Jan Dąbrowski	Andreas Karaczay
Strength
12,000	5,000
Casualties and losses
1,200	1,300, 4 guns

The Second Battle of Novi, also called the Battle of Bosco, happened on October 24, 1799. It was a fight between the French army and soldiers from Austria. The French forces were led by Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr, and the Austrians by Andreas Karaczay.

The battle took place near Novi Ligure in what is now Italy. For many hours, the Austrian soldiers fought bravely. They used their strong cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and powerful artillery (cannons) to defend themselves. However, by the end of the day, the French and their allies, the Poles, won the battle. They pushed the Austrians out of their positions. This battle was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Second Coalition.

Why This Battle Happened

The French army had faced several defeats before this battle. A major loss was the Battle of Novi on August 15, 1799. These losses left the French Army of Italy in a difficult spot. They were holding onto just a few key places: Genoa, Cuneo, and the high parts of the Ligurian Alps.

The Austrian army was threatening to take Genoa. To stop them, the French General Saint-Cyr led his troops north. They moved through Novi and attacked Karaczay's Austrian division near Bosco Marengo. This attack was a strong move by the French to defend their positions.

What Happened Next

While the Second Battle of Novi was happening, other fights were also taking place. Farther to the west, another part of the French Army of Italy, led by Jean Étienne Championnet, fought against the Austrians. They clashed with Michael von Melas's Austrian forces at the Battle of Genola on November 4. These battles were all part of the larger conflict in Italy during the War of the Second Coalition.