On this day in 1800, Napoleon pulled off one of history’s most dramatic comebacks at the Battle of Marengo.
His French army in northern Italy was caught off guard by a massive Austrian surprise attack under General Michael von Melas. By mid day the French were in full retreat, the battle seemingly lost.
Then General Louis Desaix arrived with fresh troops. Meeting Napoleon, he reportedly said: “This battle is lost, but there is still time to win another.”
Desaix immediately led a bold counterattack at the head of his division. He was shot and killed almost instantly in the charge, the very picture of gallant bravery, but his arrival stabilized the line.
Moments later, General François Kellermann’s cavalry delivered a devastating flank charge that shattered the Austrian pursuit and turned the field into a rout.
The French victory was narrow but decisive. It drove the Austrians out of most of Italy, secured Napoleon’s political position back in Paris as First Consul, and set the stage for his rise to Emperor. 🇫🇷👑