​DIG IT

Battle of Lodi

 

I would like to defeat the Austrian rearguard. This battle gained me the confidence and loyalty of my men. This also gained me the nickname ‘La Petit Corporal.’

We came to a bridge in Lodi over the Adda river on May 1796, the Austrians had 10 000 men and 14 guns placed on the East end of the bridge. My confidence never shook. The towns defences were strong, but easy to break through. I set up artillery to blast the Austrian guns and defences across the river.

I sent some of the cavalry to swim below the bridge and they attacked the Austrians from the left. Not long after, I ordered a massed infantry column to charge across the bridge. When we got about half way across, Austria was shooting so we pulled back for a second. We charged again and kept attacking until we were across. 

We lost quite a few men, but that’s the cost of winning a battle. After winning this battle, I knew that I could be a man of high destiny. I’m glad that my lucky star, Josephine, was in my heart.