Battle of Marengo
Spinetta Marengo, near Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy
What happened
A French army under Napoleon Bonaparte, with General Louis Desaix, fought an Austrian army under Michael von Melas. The Austrians launched a surprise attack and pushed the French back for most of the day. In the late afternoon, General Desaix arrived with fresh troops; he is said to have remarked that the battle was lost but there was still time to win another. A French counter-attack and cavalry charge broke the Austrian column, but Desaix fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The victory strengthened Napoleon's position as ruler of France, only months after he had seized power. Within a day the Austrians agreed to leave north-western Italy.
What came next
Under the Convention of Alessandria, Austria withdrew its forces from much of northern Italy. Napoleon's horse at the battle, named Marengo, carried him in many later battles, including Waterloo.
Did you know?
The dish Chicken Marengo is named after the battle, though the story that Napoleon's chef invented it on the battlefield is probably a myth.
Timeline
- November 1799Napoleon seizes power in France.
- 14 June 1800Napoleon wins at Marengo.
- 15 June 1800The Convention of Alessandria is agreed.
- 1815Napoleon rides Marengo at Waterloo.