Chapter 148: Liberation of Italy (3)
Over a thousand Sardinian cavalrymen rapidly prepared to charge the French skirmishers.
However, there were always signs when cavalry prepared to charge. If it were a dry, sunny day, they'd kick up dust, but with the recent rain, the ground remained moist. Nevertheless, coordinating such a large cavalry unit required clearing a path through the other troops, and this sign couldn't be concealed. Napoleon, ever watchful, noticed this signal before the Sardinian cavalry even advanced.
"Where's the shepherd? Where's the shepherd?" Napoleon shouted. "Take your cavalry and support the skirmishers!"
"The Shepherd" was Napoleon's nickname for Joseph. Joseph was proud of this nickname since not everyone had the chance to capture over three hundred Peppino Giorgio with a whip.
"Understood!" Joseph replied enthusiastically. He checked his four revolvers hanging from his belt and his trusty sword. He mounted his horse and headed toward the cavalry.
Napoleon stood there, one foot on a rock, raising his spyglass to scan the opposite side.
By this point, the Sardinian cavalry was ready. Since they weren't aware of the French skirmishers' rifle range, they had stayed behind their main formation. Their orders were to charge the French skirmishers, but no one had informed them that the French rifles had a range of three to four hundred yards. As the Sardinian cavalry advanced, they maintained a relatively tight formation, as was common practice. A close formation was better for maintaining discipline. Besides, they weren't too close to the enemy yet, so there was time to spread out.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
As for moving at a slow pace, it was because their horses couldn't maintain their top speed continuously. To avoid entering the enemy's rifle range too quickly, they advanced at a walk and then gradually increased their speed, reaching their top speed when approaching the enemy's rifle range. This minimized the impact of the skirmishers' "Little Melons."
As Daniel, the skirmisher, finished loading his bullets, Captain Amy's voice rang out, "Prepare, aim at the enemy cavalry..."
The skirmisher captain, Jean Lanna, watched the cavalry chase with anticipation. When he saw that the Italians didn't break through their formation as he had hoped, he shouted in delight, "Brothers, I told you, don't be deceived by appearances! To win battles, you have to rely on our skirmishers! Now, forward, let's crush their infantry!"
Skirmishers equipped with Mini rifles against Italian infantry was a lopsided contest. With their greater range, they systematically picked off the Italian infantry like peeling layers of an onion. The Italians were taking a beating, and they couldn't effectively retaliate.
Furthermore, the cannons abandoned by the Italians were now under French control. When the Italians had abandoned the cannons, they had neglected to destroy them. The French quickly turned them around, ready to fire. However, the Italians broke into complete disarray before the French could shoot. Soldiers ignored their officers' commands, scattered, and the officers soon joined the rout. They ran faster than the soldiers.
Over fifty thousand Italians scattered, and catching them proved difficult. The Italians were more familiar with the terrain and could disappear into the countryside, so Napoleon didn't capture many prisoners. On the other hand, General Colli, retreating to Turin, also failed to gather many stragglers. About half of the soldiers didn't die or get captured but simply went their separate ways.
After gaining over a hundred cannons, the French army advanced toward Turin. In Turin, the city experienced three shocking events in one night. The people of the city spread various rumors, saying that the French would behead all the nobles if they entered Turin. Others narrated tales of the French "robbing the rich to help the poor." Some were terrified of the French and shook with fear, while others hoped the French would enter the city so they could share in the spoils.
At the nobles' unanimous request, the king declared his withdrawal from the war and sent envoys to negotiate with the French. Facing the Sardinian envoys, Napoleon initially displayed indifference, followed by various threats. Finally, under the threat of the French army, Sardinia had to accept the following terms:
Sardinia would withdraw from the anti-French alliance and promise not to allow anyone to use its territory for actions against France. The Sardinian army had to hand over the forts of Coni, Ceva, and Tortona. They temporarily surrendered Alessandria before giving it to the French. The people in the French-controlled area would have complete autonomy and the right to establish a self-governing body to implement revolutionary policies. Sardinia couldn't interfere. The French army could move freely within Piedmont and had the right to cross the Po River at Valenza. All local police in Piedmont were to be disbanded. France would help administer the region. French agents would have the right to travel freely within Piedmont. The French army had the right to confiscate all Sardinian army property. Sardinia had to pay one hundred million gold francs in indemnities to the French army.
In the Italian War of 1796-97, the French won yet another victory without shedding much blood. They captured Turin and acquired another one hundred million gold francs. They also held several Sardinian generals and officers. As for the citizens of Turin, they rejoiced at the French arrival, as they no longer had to worry about the war's destruction.
The Sardinian King Charles Emmanuel IV led his family and fled Turin, moving south. The Holy Roman Empire declared war on France, Britain continued to wage war, but on the European continent, things became calmer.
