Second Battle of Novi (1799)

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Second Battle of Novi (1799)
Date24 October 1799
Location
Novi Ligure, present-day Italy
44°45′42″N8°47′26″E / 44.76167°N 8.79056°E / 44.76167; 8.79056
Result French victory
Belligerents

Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg France

Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor (after 1400).svg Habsburg monarchy
Commanders and leaders
Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg L. Gouvion Saint-Cyr
Jan Dąbrowski
Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor (after 1400).svg Andreas Karaczay
Strength
Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg 12,000 Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor (after 1400).svg 5,000
Casualties and losses
1,200 1,300, 4 guns
Second Battle of Novi (1799)
  current battle
  Napoleon in command
  Napoleon not in command

The Second Battle of Novi or Battle of Bosco (24 October 1799) saw a Republican French corps under General of Division Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr face a division of Habsburg Austrian soldiers led by Feldmarschall-Leutnant Andreas Karaczay. For several hours the Austrians defended themselves stoutly, relying on their superior cavalry and artillery. By the end of the day the French and allied Poles routed the Austrians from their positions in this War of the Second Coalition action. Novi Ligure is south of Alessandria, Italy.

A string of defeats, culminating with the Battle of Novi on 15 August 1799 left the French Army of Italy clinging to Genoa, Cuneo and the crests of the Ligurian Alps. An Austrian threat to Genoa was met with Saint-Cyr's strong thrust north through Novi against Karaczay's division at Bosco Marengo. Farther west, Jean Étienne Championnet with the main body of the Army of Italy clashed with Michael von Melas's Austrians at Genola on 4 November.

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