Battle of Mondovì
Italian Campaign (French Revolutionary Wars) · Mondovì, Piedmont, Italy
Summary
On 21 April 1796, at Mondovì in Piedmont, Bonaparte defeated General Colli's Sardinian troops. The town surrendered around 6 p.m. after an hour's bombardment; the armistice of Cherasco was signed on 28 April, forcing the Kingdom of Sardinia to negotiate.
Historical context
On 21 April 1796, at Mondovì in Piedmont, Napoleon Bonaparte fielded around 20,000 French soldiers against some 15,000 Sardinian troops during the Italian campaign, after an offensive against the last major Sardinian defensive line in the region.
Tactics
Bonaparte deployed his columns on several fronts around Vico and the 'briquet' hill. The French exploited numerical superiority, took the 'briquet' position around 2 p.m., and pursued the Sardinian rout to Mondovì, taken after bombardment.
Consequences
French victory forced the Kingdom of Sardinia to seek an armistice and facilitated the conquest of Piedmont. The Peace of Cherasco followed, imposing major territorial concessions on the Sardinians. Sardinian losses included about 9,031 prisoners and 900 wounded.