Sold – A Lesson in Tactics and Diplomacy by Napoleon

Although in time he would come to be considered one of the great military geniuses of all time, at the start of 1796 Napoleon was a promising general who had put down a monarchist outbreak in Paris, but had no foreign victories nor political position. In March, the French Directory sent him to the Italian front to command the southern army, which was composed of about 45,000 poorly clothed, ill-fed men. They faced combined armies of 60,000 Italian and Austrian soldiers. By April 21, Napoleon had defeated his enemy so badly that the Italian forces were knocked out of the war altogether. He sent the Austrians fleeing after a victory on May 10, and entered Milan in triumph. Thus, in 19 days he had thoroughly beaten two enemies and conquered much of northern Italy. By August the Austrians had been pushed to the Tyrol, but still had a large garrison in Mantua. The French laid seige to the city, and there followed a series of battles as the Austrians tried to relieve the besieged garrison and the French to drive off the attackers. The town of Bergamo was at the western end of this theater of activity. It had been under the control of Venice for centuries, and Venice was neutral in this war, but as this letter makes clear the city and its citadel were taken by Napoleon. The town was located in the northern area of French occupation, and maintaining control of it was crucial to Buonaparte’s military actions around and before Mantua, as its loss would turn his flank and could spell disaster. This letter is his original detailed orders for Bergamo’s defense. Letter Signed "Bonaparte," 2 full pages large folio on ornate letterhead of his Italian Army of the French Republic, Milan, Dec. 26, 1796 to one of his top generals, Baraguay d’Hilliers. "I have just received, general, from the adjunct Bruyere, the letter which announces the occupation of the Chateau of Bergamo, I give the order for citizen Jougen, artillery intelligence officer, to repair the fort. My intention is to stop at nothing to put the citadel in repair and to have transported from the city guns of the highest caliber in order to contain the city. Have battlements constructed, if necessary, on the slope of the chateau to turn back [an attack from] outskirts of the chateau and to maintain their respect. Artillery will be very necessary and you must also establish two grills for incendiary cannonballs. Have a tower constructed and ask the governor for everything necessary for the provisioning of the fort. It is necessary for our soldiers to be well settled and there must be as much flour as there is lard, wine, enough to feed 500 men for 15 days. You will hoist the Venetian flag on the chateau. Let me know how many men can be put in the chateau, let me know 1, the population of the old city and its development; 2, the populations of the different outskirts. I am sending you the War Commissioner in order to help with the provisioning of the fort which you must demand absolutely from the governor. Put the greatest activity into the transport of the artillery and the arming of the citadel. My intention is not to leave many people in Bergamo, and the minute that things are ready I will place a large part of the troops there which are now in Bergamo. Have the reconnaisances made on the side of Monteoni. I ask you to get a good map of Birgonade and to reconnoiter the route from Bergamo to Lovin in order to assure the passage of the artillery and tell me exactly how many miles there are. I also want to know the shortest route in a straight line from Valtelino to Morbegno. For example, should we shoulder the lake or is there a direct route? Keep me posted as to the good of the inhabitants. Your proclamation at Die had its good effect, meanwhile it would have been better to have it done by the provisional governor himself. During the few days that you remain there it is necessary that you see as many people as possible, accept to dine with the governor and have yourself invited by the bishop, and if you sometimes eat at home, don’t forget to invite some Venetian officers." In addition to the military insights, this letter provides an interesting view of Napoleon’s attention to political appearances. He orders that the Venetian flag be flown over the town, rather than the French, and that Venetian soldiers be wined and dined, as if to say that he is respecting Venice’s sovereignty over Bergamo. Just a month after this letter Mantua surrendered, and before long Napoleon crossed into Austria to carry the war there. He was victorious; Austria capitulated and Venice surrendered as well. He became a French hero and his reputation was made. By 1799 he was first consul and ruled France. A remarkable and unusually long letter showing Napoleon’s great miilitary mind at work and constituting a virtual lesson in tactics. From the collection of renowned British artist and collector, Sir Thomas Phillips.