He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 89

(89) Lodi’s Little Sergeant, Napoleon Charges

At this moment, Napoleon is also making a daring charge.

“Run! Speed is key! No need for scouts, just run!”

So, the French Italian Legion is literally running on foot.

Of course, Napoleon, who is giving the orders, is running on horseback.

Still, it was worth urging the soldiers.

During the Revolution, French infantry was known to be about twice as fast as their enemies.

This was partly because they had abandoned all their baggage, but also because they were physically capable of marching long distances.

The Italian Legion, having eaten well in Turin, the capital of Sardinia, was no different.

Normal pace, 90 steps per minute.

Brisk pace, 105 steps per minute.

Double pace, 120 steps per minute.

The speed is gradually increasing.

The advancing army consists of a total of 3 divisions, each with cavalry, artillery, and infantry.

Within each division, there are about 3 regiments, and below that, 9 battalions are organized.

The total troop strength is 37,000, excluding Massena’s division.

It is truly a brisk-paced charge without looking back.

Suddenly, Augereau, who was watching the soldiers running at a brisk pace on horseback, narrowed his brow.

It’s unsettling that scouts aren’t going ahead.

Augereau asked Laharpe, the reserve commander who was running with him.

“Didn’t the commander really send out scouts?”

“No, he’s just saying that. He sent them all. But instead of scout light infantry, he sent out cavalry, right?”

“Lannes?”

Come to think of it, Lannes’ specially formed Pyrenean cavalry is not visible.

Augereau nodded.

He may sound hasty, but that ‘political soldier’ commander certainly sticks to the basics.

“Indeed, so that’s why he didn’t attach Lannes to the boy sergeant.”

“More likely, he doesn’t have much expectation. After all, the enemy and Massena are already engaged in the opening battle. How can we jump into that?”

“Do you think artillery support is possible? Laharpe?”

Laharpe was born in 1754, making him 41 years old, 3 years older than Augereau.

That’s about the same age in Europe.

Unlike his strict military command, he was a sociable man in everyday life, and Augereau was on familiar terms with Laharpe.

Just yesterday, Laharpe, who broke through the enemy lines with 30 cavalrymen, narrowed his brow.

“It’s difficult. Massena could be in danger.”

From Pavia to Lodi, about 30 kilometers [approximately 18.6 miles].

If the infantry runs at a brisk pace, it’s a distance that can be reached in a day.

After that, they would be completely exhausted and annihilated by the enemy.

Therefore, the Napoleon Legion, which is on a forced march, is also running with a one-night rest in the middle.

That means it’s already been a day since the battle began.

It’s unlikely that Massena’s division has already been annihilated.

However, they are probably already in close proximity.

If they launch a concentrated artillery barrage, Massena’s division could be caught in the crossfire.

Augereau narrowed his brow again.

“So, in the end, we can’t use the commander’s specialty, artillery. The boy sergeant didn’t take grenades either. What is he thinking?”

“Who said the commander’s specialty is artillery?”

“What do you mean, Laharpe?”

If an artillery officer’s specialty isn’t artillery, what is it?

Moreover, Napoleon has actively used artillery in all the battles where he has achieved victory so far.

Toulon harbor bombardment, Vendée final bombardment, Paris street fighting bombardment.

Above all, in Monte Notte, the concentrated bombardment of the horse artillery decided the battle.

However, Laharpe shook his head and stared at the advancing ranks.

“Speed, surprise, faithful scout operation. And even the tactic of splitting the enemy and destroying them piecemeal. All are excellent. But in my opinion, the commander’s real strength lies elsewhere.”

“Was there such a thing? Why didn’t I see it?”

“Don’t be sarcastic. Have you forgotten? I couldn’t even run properly during the last Monte Notte battle. I had to stay in the rear and just watch the enemy being annihilated.”

Suddenly, Laharpe turned to the center of the main army column, Napoleon’s direct unit.

“If what I saw then is correct, the commander has a separate guard. And the commander isn’t Dallemagne.”

Strictly speaking, the commander’s temporary guard is formed, and its commander is Brigadier General Dallemagne.

But Laharpe said that Dallemagne is not Napoleon’s real ‘guard’ commander.

Unexpectedly, Augereau raised his eyebrows.

“Then who is it?”

“Probably, it would originally be Colonel Junot. Now it will be Colonel Duroc.”

“Artillery? Are you talking about the horse artillery?”

Junot and Duroc are both Napoleon’s adjutants.

Originally, they were commanders of the Paris security forces, and now they are assigned as adjutants directly under the headquarters.

However, Junot is currently serving as Eugene’s assistant.

So, are you saying that the horse artillery commanded by Duroc is the guard?

Laharpe shook his head while riding.

“No, the horse artillery has done a good job, but they haven’t worked with the general for a long time. After all, they were friends who were in our Italian Army, right? Look at the black uniforms marching with them.”

Currently, Napoleon’s legion infantry are marching in dispersed columns [formations where soldiers are spread out to reduce the impact of enemy fire].

If the enemy were nearby, it would be a perilous situation, likely to be decimated by the musket fire of the line infantry deployed in a line.

However, it is certain that the Lombardy Legion has all gone to the Adda River.

So, they are taking the risk and advancing in vertical columns, divided by battalion.

However, there was a unit in black uniforms running near Commander Napoleon.

The size is a small regiment level, about 1,000 men, with 3 battalions running separately.

Augereau frowned as he recognized the identity of the unit.

“Are you talking about the Marseille Postal Regiment now?”

“Yes.”

“The general’s secret weapon is postmen? Well, you have to be brave to be a postman. You also have to keep secrets well. You also need the strength not to miss anything for transportation.”

Just as Augereau was about to sneer, Laharpe chuckled.

“You really didn’t see it, Augereau. You’ll see it soon. The commander is not someone who hides useful cards.”

In this period of upheaval, those who only hide their trump cards cannot win.

Besides, today’s secret weapon will become tomorrow’s obsolete weapon anyway.

Napoleon doesn’t hide.

He uses everything he can when he can.

Laharpe, who watched from behind, knew that fact accurately, rather than Augereau, who fought together.

“Rather, he’s more like a gambler who uses all his cards when the opportunity comes.”

Augereau was about to tilt his head at Laharpe’s confident words.

“There, Lodi is visible!”

Lannes’ cavalry was running from the front.

Beyond that, the Adda River and the small city of Lodi too.

***

Cavalry has always been an excellent troop type for scouting.

“Reporting! Currently, Massena’s division has engaged in combat on the west bank of the river! The opponent appears to be 30 regiments under the command of Beaulieu’s Legion. About 30,000 in our army’s organization!”

However, scouting is also easy to be detected by the enemy.

That means there is a high possibility of being killed.

Naturally, a brave, agile, and quick-witted officer is needed.

Lannes was the perfect person.

Surprisingly, he ran to the vicinity of the river and even checked the troops across the Adda River with binoculars.

Napoleon, with a frown on his face in the middle of the stopped march, stared ahead.

Lodi 4 kilometers ahead [approximately 2.5 miles].

The enemy is not yet visible.

But if we advance from here, we will soon reach Lodi, so a battle will break out.

Napoleon, who was calculating very quickly, asked Berthier.

“What is the estimated remaining strength of the Lombardy Legion?”

“About 40,000. Excluding the troops we annihilated in Monte Notte.”

“Then where did the remaining 10,000 go? Did we miss them?”

Instantly, the generals’ faces turned pale.

The commander’s rebuke is scary for the second time.

The real problem arises when the enemy’s whereabouts are missed.

During the battle, they may be counterattacked by the suddenly appearing enemy.

However, the brave cavalry commander Lannes shook his head firmly.

“No, they are stationed in the town of Lodi. Because the battle started suddenly, the assembly order does not seem to have been properly carried out.”

The cavalry led by Lannes had checked all the way to the village.

Perhaps by now, the town of Lodi would be full of soldiers moving in a hurry due to the sudden appearance of the cavalry.

Suddenly, Napoleon wore a strange smile.

“They surrounded the bridge and occupied both banks?”

“If we continue like this, it will be difficult to go to help Massena. Shouldn’t we first look at the crossing point?”

“Augereau, you are a brave man. To look for a crossing point even in this situation.”

Napoleon, who lightly mocked Augereau, gave an order.

“Start the bombardment.”

“Yes?”

“The target is the town of Lodi. Those who live will live, and those who die will die.”

That means he will bombard the town where civilians may be present.

But everyone had no choice but to accept Napoleon’s decision.

If infantry enters the town first now, a street battle will break out, no matter how small the city is.

In this case, the victory or defeat and the damage to our side are set aside, and breaking through the enemy becomes uncertain.

That means the Napoleon Legion will be held back on the east side of the Adda River.

Conversely, Massena’s division across the Adda River will eventually not be able to withstand it and will be annihilated.

The generals nodded heavily.

Napoleon continued to point at the map with his baton and instructed.

“When the enemy is in chaos, Augereau’s division and Sérurier’s division will enter. Brigadier General Laharpe will guard the rear with the brigade under the headquarters.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Commander, then what about Massena?”

Just as Sérurier nodded and Augereau was about to ask a question, Napoleon replied.

“I will save him myself.”

At that moment, everyone was surprised and widened their eyes.

Even Lannes, who had just returned from direct reconnaissance, was surprised.

Stengel, Ordonner, Beaumont.

The cavalry deputy commanders behind Lannes looked at each other.

“It’s dangerous.”

“Shouldn’t we tell the general? This isn’t a safe battlefield enough to command directly right now, is it?”

“Wow, the, the commander, oh my god.”

Augereau, who was shocked, stepped forward again.

“What are you talking about! Commander, if the commander-in-chief is even in a state of absence!”

“Augereau. Then should we look for a crossing point? It will take twice as long to find it. Besides, the enemy’s main force is backing the bridge. Breakthrough is possible! Well, we need a diversionary operation. Brigadier General Dallemagne!”

“Yes, Commander.”

Napoleon instructed Dallemagne, the commander of the commander’s guard.

“You pretend to cross to the upstream point on the left, and maneuver.”

At that moment, Lannes couldn’t stand it and stepped forward.

“Commander, where are you going then?”

Suddenly, Napoleon smiled and pointed to the front, the center of the river.

“That bridge. Lannes, how about it? Why don’t you cross that bridge with me and create a legend?”

Instantly, Lannes looked across the river.

He’s already been there and reported.

The remaining troops lurking in the village.

About 30 regiments, 30,000 troops of the Lombardy Austrian Legion across the river.

Napoleon’s order is to secure the bridge with only a small number of troops now.

Of course, the enemy’s main force is fighting Massena, and the troops in Lodi may be scattered by the bombardment.

Also, once the bridge is secured, not only Napoleon but all other troops will cross the river.

Nevertheless, if even one thing goes wrong, the commander could die.

It’s crazy.

But wasn’t war originally a crazy thing?

Lannes blushed red and shouted in agitation.

“You’re a crazy commander. Okay! I’ll go with you!”

It wasn’t just Lannes who was agitated.

Sérurier, a 53-year-old middle-aged man, Laharpe, who made a 30-cavalry breakthrough yesterday, and even Augereau, who is always indifferent, were all agitated.

In the middle of the boiling temporary headquarters, Napoleon smiled and gave an order.

“Then enter Lodi. Marmont, take charge of the battery. Shoot down their follow-up troops!”

Finally, the second day of the Battle of Lodi.

Napoleon arrived in Lodi.

***

Cannon is the flower of war, said the Italian poet Marinetti in the original history of the modern era.

-Swoosh, bang! Swoosh, bang! Swoosh, bang!

War creates a symphony with fire, explosions, smoke, bloodshed, and flames.

In particular, the bombardment in the early modern era is the greatest physical force that humans can create.

The feast created by breaking the physically existing form is similar to blooming a flower of flame.

Even in this era without incendiary bombs.

The moment a 4-pound cannonball covered the town of Lodi was like that.

“Aaaah! Avoid it! Th, th, the enemy’s bombardment!”

Residents and soldiers alike jumped out and screamed at the bombardment.

But the enemy’s screams are like joy to our side.

The French Italian Legion began to charge.

“The enemies are in a state of chaos. Now, deploy Augereau’s division and Sérurier’s division!”

Augereau and Sérurier each commanded their divisions to enter.

-Step, step, step!

The order was transmitted from the division command to the regiment, and then to the battalion commander again.

Each battalion marches with muskets in a dispersed column.

The speed is at least light pace.

Suddenly, Augereau’s adjutant, Brigadier General Verdier, asked.

“Will the commander’s maneuver work out?”

“I don’t know. We’re just doing our duty. Shoot down every enemy hiding in the town!”

“Yes! In a dispersed column formation, start advancing! Run at a double pace!”

The infantry of Augereau’s division ran.

-Ta-da-dak!

The bombardment has now stopped.

However, the Lombardy Legion, the remaining troops who were in a panic, still could not gather.

The Lombardy soldiers, scattered and running around, discovered Augereau’s division.

“Ugh! Those guys are coming in droves!”

“Fi, fight! We have bayonets too!”

“Where are our allies! Aaaagh!”

At that moment, Augereau ordered.

“Stop the formation! Fire!”

It is difficult to stop while running at a double pace.

It is even more difficult to stop and prepare to fire again.

Especially if the enemy is running towards you.

However, the colonel-level regimental commanders, major-level battalion commanders, and captain-level company commanders of Augereau’s division succeeded in carrying out this order.

-Step, click, swoosh, kirik, bang!

This is the Italian Legion, which was called a mess.

However, the generals, including Augereau, were just unmotivated, but they were capable soldiers.

Moreover, the officers under those capable soldiers were the same.

In short, the Italian Legion was not just an incompetent army, just because there was no genius commander.

It was the moment when the Lodi Lombardy soldiers, whose morale was completely shattered, were about to collapse.

-Du-du-du!

Major General Provera, the commander of the remaining Lodi troops, who was in despair, screamed.

“Cavalry!”

The Lombardy remaining troops officers also avoided the cavalry in confusion, but could not counterattack.

“Where is the real one going?”

“North? South? No, is it this way?”

“O, o, oh! They’re coming! To the bridge!”

Eventually, the formation was breached.

“Here comes Lannes of Gascony! Let’s cross the bridge!”

Lannes shouted as he ran like a gale.

Behind him, Deputy Commander Bessières was leading the cavalry.

Stengel and Ordonner, and Beaumont.

All of them who will later become war dead who illuminated the Italian battlefield in the original history, or make a name for themselves as cavalry commanders.

They all survive and run.

Right here, the bridge of Lodi.

Finally, the moment when the bridge of Lodi was about to be pierced.

-Ta-da-da!

When he barely crossed the bridge, Bessières shouted to Lannes, who was running the fastest.

“Colonel! Look! Beaulieu is coming!”

“What?”

“Beaulieu’s main army regiments are risking damage and retreating. If we continue like this, we will have to fight at least 10,000!”

Lannes hesitated.

He succeeded in occupying the Lodi bridge.

But our troops have not yet completely crossed the bridge.

On the other hand, Beaulieu’s main army, 30,000 troops, are seen retreating.

If we continue like this, we will have to fight a fierce battle with at least 10,000 line infantry, as Bessières said.

The troops under Lannes’ command are only about 3,000, and less than 1,000 troops have crossed the river right now.

It was then.

“Why are you hesitating so much, Lannes!”

Napoleon, who had already crossed the bridge, scolded Lannes.

In the end, isn’t it an order to charge towards 10,000 infantry, or rather 30,000 of the entire army?

Lannes, who was dumbfounded, shouted at Napoleon.

“Then, can you break through that if you were you!”

“Why can’t I!”

“Ha, if you’re so good, try it!”

Looking at Lannes, who was shouting in a disrespectful way, Napoleon snorted.

“Arrogant coward! I’ll show you. I’m going myself, Duroc!”

At that moment, with Duroc’s gesture, troops lined up behind Napoleon.

The number is 1,000 in total.

It is a unit that runs in columns without rest, crosses the bridge, and lines up in rows again.

But the formation is not in two rows.

It’s in one row.

The moment Lannes widened his eyes, Duroc ordered heavily.

“Fire.”

Instantly, Napoleon’s direct special soldiers began to load their guns and shoot.

-Click, bang! Click, bang! Click, bang!

Black uniforms, breech-loading Ferguson rifles [early rifles that could be loaded from the rear], and a unit that won the battles of Vendée and Paris.

Soldiers created by Eugene and commanded by Napoleon.

Rapid-fire soldiers who can shoot at least 5 to 7 rounds per minute by repeatedly practicing shooting with live ammunition.

Napoleon’s Blue Coats [elite soldiers known for their distinctive uniforms] unfolded a one-line shooting battle.

Beaulieu’s soldiers, who were running, stopped at the momentum.

At the same time, Napoleon went up to the bridge and stood tall.

“Soldiers! Are you going to let the commander die? Are you all cowards?”

In the midst of the noisy gunfire, Napoleon’s sharp voice tore through the air.

“If not, follow me! This Napoleon!”

Not everyone heard this voice.

But at least everyone saw Napoleon’s appearance.

All the soldiers of the French Italian Legion who had the Lodi bridge to the left and right.

Suddenly, one of the soldiers muttered.