Siege of Pavia, May 1796
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This letter is from Napoleon's first campaign in Italy. As high
commander of all the armies in this theater Napoleon's first real
field command was a significant one. While the famous 'Whiff of
grapeshot' was the incident that opened the door to potential fame
and fortune it was this first campaign that saw him step through that
doorway and onto the world stage.
France was surrounded on all sides by hostile armies. Italy was a
land of small states and principalities. In northwest Italy on the
plains of Piedmont lay the combined armies of the Kingdom of Piedmont
and those of the Austrian Empire. These armies were far superior to
Buonaparte's command. They were nearly double in men and more then
double in canon. They were better supplied and in better
condition.
In Buonaparte's battles against these armies he was very successful.
The movements under his command were strokes of lightning. The
marching and counter-marching continued by day and night without
collapse. The enemy factions were separated and defeated in detail
and upon one, the Piedmontese, a victorious peace was imposed which
left the other at the mercy of the victor.
Buonaparte's armies pushed eastward across Northern Italy occupying
Milan and winning the battle at Lodi on the Adda river. This small
rear guard action is famous in 3 ways. It was on the night after Lodi
that Buonaparte, visiting the bivouacs on horseback as he so often
did, heard those who now felt themselves to be veterans calling out
to him by a new name. It was at Lodi that he found he had been
baptized "The Little Corporal." Also from that day on the new French
spelling of his name became universal and he became "Bonaparte"
rather than "Buonaparte". And lastly, Napoleon was later to comment
that it was after Lodi that he began to feel that he was destined for
greater things.
As Bonaparte continued to push the Austrians further back his lines
of supply back to France became longer and longer. Always at a
numerical disadvantage he could only spare small detachments to guard
his rear. Towards the end of May there were uprisings in Milan and
the town of Pavia. Bonaparte with a small detachment quickly
suppressed the revolts. The following letter discusses the incidents
at Milan and Pavia.
HEADQUARTERS, PESCHIERA, 1st June 1796. When quiet had been restored at Milan, I resumed my march on Pavia. Lannes, in command of the light troops, attacked Binasco, where seven or eight hundred armed peasants appeared to be putting up a defense. He charged them, killed a hundred or so, and scattered the rest. I had the village set on fire immediately. The step was necessary, but the sight was none the less distressing, and I was painfully affected by it. But I foresaw that an even worse fate still threatened the town of Pavia. I therefore summoned the Archbishop of Milan, and sent him to convey to the insensate populace, on my behalf, the following proclamation.
'A misguided mob, without any real means of resistance, is
committing the wildest excesses, refusing to recognize the Republic,
and defying an army which has conquered a succession of kings. Such
incredible folly deserves pity: these poor people are being misled by
men who wish to destroy them. In accordance with the principles of
the French nation, which makes no war on common people, the general
in command is anxious to leave open a door of repentance: but those
who, within twenty-four hours, have not laid down their arms and
taken a fresh oath of obedience to the Republic will be treated as
rebels, and their villages will be burnt to the ground. Take warning
by the terrible example of Binasco! Such will be the fate of every
town and village that persists in the revolt.
Bonaparte'
But it was in vain. I reached Pavia at daybreak. The rebels' outposts
were overwhelmed. The town seemed to be full of people, and in a
state of defense. The castle had been taken, and our men were
prisoners. I ordered up the artillery, and after firing a few rounds,
summoned the wretched inhabitants to rely upon French generosity, and
lay down their arms. They replied that they would never surrender, so
long as Pavia had walls standing. General Dommartin accordingly drew
up the 6th battalion of grenadiers in close order, axes in hand, and
headed by two 8-pounders. The gates were broken down, and the mob
scattered in all directions, taking refuge in the cellars or on the
roofs, and trying in vain, by throwing down tiles, to prevent our
entry into the streets. Three times I was upon the point of giving
orders to set the whole place on fire. At that moment I saw the
castle garrison appear-they had broken their fetters, and came with
eager cries to embrace their deliverers. I called over the names, and
there was not a man missing. If the blood of a single Frenchman had
been shed I should have set up on the ruins of the place a column
with the inscription: 'Here stood the town of Pavia.' As it was, I
had the Town Council shot, arrested two hundred people, and sent them
to France as hostages. To-day all is absolutely quiet, and I have no
doubt that this lesson will be an example to the people of Italy.
1. practical as opposed to idealistic<the problem solving
mentality, the product of science and effort; men of power have had
no time or inclination to deal with social morality.
2. a practical approach to problems and affairs.
