Battle of Millesimo

On 13–14 April 1796, near Millesimo in Liguria, General Augereau won a victory over the Sardinians under General Provera, following the Battle of Montenotte. Provera, entrenched in Cosseria castle, resisted French assaults before capitulating on 14 April; the French suffered around 600 dead or wounded and took 1,134 prisoners.

After the French victory at Montenotte on 11 April 1796, the Piedmontese-Sardinian army retreated toward Piedmont to protect access to the kingdom. Napoleon pursued the offensive in Liguria: Augereau harried retreating columns and forced Provera to entrench in the ruined castle of Cosseria, near Millesimo.

Augereau encircled Provera through a movement on Millesimo and Cosseria: Banel cut the bridge over the Bormida, Joubert surprised outposts on the heights, then three successive assaults (including artillery and howitzers) targeted the castle. Generals Banel and Quesnel were killed and Joubert wounded; Provera, short of provisions, accepted surrender on 14 April after three summonses.

Provera's capitulation on 14 April 1796 accelerated the disintegration of Austro-Sardinian defenses in Liguria and opened the way to the Battle of Dego. French losses were around 600 dead or wounded; the Sardinians counted 100 dead or wounded and 1,134 prisoners, including 37 officers.