Battles of the Predicean Risorgimento

[Predice]

The Battle of San Alberto (June 7th-10th, 1827)

Backround

The Battle of San Alberto concluded the Central Predice campaign of April-June 1827. After previous tactical victories, the Alessanian Commanders felt confident, however the Mavoians were not done yet. The Mavoian Army of the East, consisting of 62,700 men with 120 guns remained a force in the field, which was now marching towards the vital Mountain Pass of San Giorgio, where seven roads converged. Unwilling to let this move go on unchallenged, the Alessanian Army of the Centre deployed for battle near the town.

Opposing Forces

Although the Mavoian Army of the East had tasted bitter stinging defeat, morale remained high. The Army of the East was composed by 3 Corps: the Mavoian II, IV, and V Corps, with a total force of 62,700 men. They were supported by 120 guns. The Mavoian Army of the East was led by General Alonzo de Bresca-Giuliani.
Though the Army of the East had taken losses through the campaign, most of their units remained close to full strength.
The Alessanian Army of the Centre made up of 60,230 soldiers also in 3 Corps was in high spirits from its earlier victories, and retained several full strength units. The Army had 118 guns. The Alessanian Army of the Centre was commanded by General Pietro Boiolucci.

Prelude

Wishing to knock Mavoia out of the war as soon as possible, General Boiolucci sent General Alberto da Zara with the Alessanian I Corps to harass the Mavoian Army’s line of retreat back home. This resulted in the seven days’ skirmishes, which forced the I Corps to withdraw, lest it be encircled. Deciding to decisively defeat the Alessanians, General Giuliani made his move, and marched the Army of the East towards San Alberto. Unwilling to leave this move unchallenged, the Alessanian Army of the Centre deployed for battle behind the Bolenaci Creek, 2km from the town, where battle would commence on the 7th of June.

Battle

Day One

Fighting started at 11AM when the Mavoian II Corps deployed for battle with 21,419 men, and 20 guns. Light skirmishing went on for 2 hours. At 1PM, the rest of the Mavoian Army arrived, and the intensity of the battle immediately increased. At 1:45PM, Giuliani ordered a frontal attack supported by all 120 guns. It lasted 3 hours and was savaged, with heavy casualties. At 4:45PM The assault was finally called off for a more novel strategy. Some Dragoons had found a ford 2km south of the main battle lines. Giuliani quickly sent in 2 regiments of infantry and the dragoons. Realising what had happened, Biolucci quickly dispatched a force of 5 guns, 2 fusilier Regiments, and a light cavalry squadron to plug the gap. Both sides’ cavalry arrived first, and savage fighting broke out, lasting 30 ferocious minutes, as both sides took heavy casualties. By 5:30PM, both sides’ infantry arrived, and the situation stabilised, with Alessanian Forces also holding the ford. Firing died out along the line by 9:30PM, with both armies setting camp.

Day Two

The Mavoian Army of the East had its breakfast at 6AM, and assembled for an early morning attack. General Giuliani was up early that morning, having woken at 4:45AM to coordinate the attack with his officers. He had ordered the heavy reinforcement of the forces in the south, in darkness.
The Forces in the south now numbered 12,200 men, and 15 guns preparing to storm the ford as the rest of the Army pinned the main Alessanian Army.
Giuliani ordered the attack to begin at 6:30AM. However to his great displeasure, the soldiers were slow at breakfast and the attack had to be delayed by 15 minutes. At 6:45AM however, the Mavoian Bugles sounded, and the attack was launched under cover of a 5 minute cannonade across the entire battlefield. What followed, was twelve and a half continuous hours of bloodletting. The Southern flank saw the Mavoian Army cut through and break the defenders of the ford, heavily outnumbered. Realising what had happened, Boiolucci ordered an immediate counterattack, with almost all of his cavalry, to throw the Mavoians back across the creek. One of the greatest cavalry charge of the Risorgimento saw 3,900 Cavalrymen charge and break the Mavoian forces across the creek, and compelled them to withdraw. Furious, Giuliani decided to win the battle in the main field, pushing hard to get his victory, however after hours of fighting, the Mavoians had merely crossed the creek, but had not broken the Alessanian Army. By 7:15PM, both armies were exhausted to breaking point. Gunners and infantry were collapsing from exhaustion, and cavalry could advance at no more than a trot. Fighting began to die out along the line. Victory was frustratingly close on June 8th, but did not come.

”The III Corps is badly understrength, and is nearly out of ammunition. We don’t have enough to sustain even one hour of combat.”
-Gen. Paulo Zamboni, Commander, III Corps in a report to Boiolucci

Day Three

Giuliani was up early again. Wishing to avoid the bloodletting of the previous two days, deciding to focus that day’s attack on the ford only. Under cover of a morning mist, he dispatched reinforcements to the south, preparing to hold the way he had carved across the creek. At 6:15 AM, another assault against the ford began. The Ford was finally taken.
When Alessanian cavalry showed up, the Mavoians formed squares, and blasted the Alessanian Cavalry to pieces. Their Commander, General Mario Murato had his leg blown off, a wound that would prove fatal. Now with forces firmly across the ford, Mavoian troops began to move rapidly to outflank and destroy the Alessanian Force, whose Commander, Boiolucci gave a flurry of orders, putting troops in place on his flank just in time to save his Army. Fighting continued until 6:00PM, with an Alessanian counterattack having managed to push the Mavoians towards the ford.
Victory had escaped Giuliani again. He vowed that it would not happen a third time.

Day Four

”I had never seen such carnage and destruction before.”
-Colonel Orlando, ADC to General Giuliani, wounded for the 13th time at San Alberto

With the commanders of both battered armies deciding that June 10th would be decision day, they both planned attacks.
Boiolucci planned an attack to drive the Mavoian Army across the creek, and then defeat the enemy on his flank. Giuliani was preparing to roll up the Alessanian flank, and destroy the Alessanian Army. Boiolucci attacked first, at 7:00AM. He faced dogged resistance, and his forces took heavy casualties, and his gains were limited. The assault lasted until 3:00PM, 8 gruelling hours, during which both sides were battered terribly. At 8:00AM, the Mavoians began their attack, which lasted 7 hours and 30 minutes. The Alessanian Army’s flank was rolled up, and Mavoian troops were now blocking Boiolucci’s path of retreat. Realising that he was now surrounded, Boiolucci gathered whatever troops he had, and assaulted the enemy blocking force at 3:00PM. He and 400 others made it out by 3:50PM, the rest were killed, wounded or captured. The Alessanian Army of the Centre was virtually wiped out.

Aftermath

The Alessanian Army of the Centre had been wiped out, having lost 28,800 killed or wounded, and all but 400 others captured.
The Mavoian Army of the East had lost 31,316 killed or wounded, but had won a decisive victory, and had forced the Alessanians to withdraw most of their forces back home.

 

[Predice]

The Battle of Fiumecia (September 3-5, 1827)

Background

After the crushing Alessanian Defeat at the Battle of San Alberto, the Mavoians began preparations to invade Alessatia itself. The next campaign began on August 20th, 1827, with the Mavoian Army of the East preparing to march across the frontier.

Opposing Forces

The Mavoian Army of the East, heavily reinforced since its victory at San Alberto consisted of 75,400 men in 4 Corps, and 220 guns, commanded by General Alonzo de Bresca-Giuliani. The Alessanian Army of the Peninsula had 62,700 men, and 192 guns. Although battered, the Alessanians still had an Army of veterans in the field, led by General Giorgio Baliciano.

Prelude

After the crushing blow at San Alberto, the Alessanian Government responded with drastic measures: property taxes doubled, state salaries and pensions suspended, 70,000 new conscripts called up, from a country already exhausted by a decade of war.
The Mavoian Army of the East had forces from other Mavoian Armies move up to reinforce them. With the Mavoian Army of the East numbering 75,400 men and 220 guns by August 10th, it was decided to undertake a last campaign to end the war. The Mavoian Army crossed into Alessatia itself on August 20th 1827, with the Alessanian Army not giving battle for 2 excruciating weeks. The Mavoian Army was decided to be spread out, however this would prove to be a grave mistake. Vittoria’s Division of the Guard was sent to the Village of Fiumecia to forage, but what they found instead was the entire Alessanian Army of the Peninsula, 62,700 men in three attack columns preparing to crush this isolated division.

Battle

Day One

”Ride your horse into the ground if you must, but tell General Giuliani, that we are fighting the entire Alessanian Army!”
-General Vittoria to his Aide de Camp

Fighting on the first day began at noon, when Vittoria’s Division of the Guard, deployed in the village itself, made up of 7,340 men, and 10 guns was attacked.
The Commander quickly realised the desperation of the situation, as the entire Army of the Peninsula attacked their position. At 12:30PM, Vittoria sent an urgent message to the main army, saying that he was facing the entire Alessanian Army. He then fought an expert delaying action, hiding his force’s weakness behind a screen of Skirmishers, as he pulled back. Vittoria was still holding on by nightfall, when fighting on the first day ended. Baliciano, had additionally underestimated the speed at which the Army of the East would react, as the first Mavoian Reinforcements arrived that night.

Day Two

”What a slaughter, and without any result!”
-General Pietro Callizoni, Commander, I Corps to Giuliani after the second day

The rapidly arriving Mavoian reinforcements brought the Mavoian Army to 58,800 men, with which to hold back the Alessanian assault at 9AM. The assault was preluded by a 192 gun barrage, which lasted 15 minutes. Then a grand Alessanian Charge began. The Mavoian Centre was nearly broken, and Vittoria’s Division of the Guard was sent forward. General Vittoria was killed organising the Defense of the Mavoian centre, and his Division of the Guard was battered by the attack, but the centre held. On the flanks, the Mavoians held on. Reinforcements arrived throughout the day, helping the Mavoians hold. Fighting came to an end at 9PM, after bitter fighting. The Armies slept out in the open that night.

Day Three

”The action I regret the most was the assault I ordered at Fiumecina on September 5th, 1827.
-General Giuliani on his deathbed, June 10th, 1849

With the full Mavoian Army on the field, General de Bresca-Giuliani planned an attack, which would begin at 8:30AM. The Assault was preluded by a bombardment by a grand Battery of 200 guns, beginning at 8:00AM. On the left flank, the Alessanian Positions took far less damage than expected, and the attack seemed to be nothing less than a slaughter. It was the first attack to be stopped at 10AM.
The centre attack saw more success, however, but the Alessanian centre still held. Three generals were killed organising its defence, including the Commander of the II Corps, General Boiolucci, who was hit by a cannonball in the foot, a wound that would prove fatal. The bitter fighting saw the Mavoians take heavy casualties, but as Giuliani committed his reserve, it seemed that the centre was about to break. The Alessanian Cavalry Commander, however gathered 5,000 cavalrymen for an attack for which he would pay with his life. The Alessanian centre was saved, however. On the right, Mavoian troops nearly turned the flank, but were thrown back by Elite Grenadiers of the Guard. General Baliciano had organised reinforcements to the line, and ordered counterattacks throughout the day, being close to the battle at all times. Just as the battle began to end at 5:00PM, General Baliciano was shot through the eyes, a wound that would prove fatal. The Mavoian Army quit the field at 5:20PM, after realising, that their Army could do no more. The battle ended the Alessatia campaign of 1827.

Aftermath

The Mavoian Army of the East had been inflicted a stinging defeat, with 30,241 killed and wounded, six generals being among them. In Giorgio Baliciano, however, Alessano lost one of its best commanders. Additionally Alessano lost four other generals, and 24,206 men killed or wounded, losses it could less readily afford. The battle led to the Armistice of San Carliano, which lasted nine months, a period of intense military mobilisation for both sides.

 

[Predice]

The Battle of Villa Giusti (June 11th-14th, 1828)

Background

After the 9 month Armistice of San Carliani, both sides had assembled massive forces for a final showdown. The Mavoian Army of the East was not going to repeat the events of 1827. On june 5th, 1828, the Mavoian Army of the East again crossed into Alessatia.

Opposing Forces

The Mavoian Army of the East, heavily reinforced, numbered 102,800 men, and 320 guns in Four Infantry, and one cavalry corps, one the largest single armies ever assembled by Mavoia. It was led by General Alonzo de Bresca-Giuliani, first Count of Giuliani.
The Alessanian Army of the Peninsula mustered 96,600 men, and 297 guns formed into Three Infantry and one cavalry corps. It was led by Alessano's finest military commander, General Pietro Vittorio Calizioni.

Prelude

With the Mavoian Army having crossed into Alessatia, General Calizioni, unwilling to give battle initially, withdrew. General de Giorgis' II Corps fought a series of sharp rear guard actions, allowing the Army of the Peninusla withdraw for six days, but he was drawn into major combat near the large and imposing Villa Giusti. Unwilling to allow his II Corps to be destroyed, Calizioni decided to give battle.

Battle

Day One

"Men, today is Alessano's last day. Today we must have won or all be dead."
-General de Giorgis to the II Corps

Fighting began on June 11th, a sweltering day, with the Alessanian II Corps skirmishing with the Mavoian I Corps, the Advance Guard of the Army of the East, however fighting began to rapidly escalate, as Mavoian reinforcements arrived. Understanding that withdrawal was no longer an option, de Giorgis sent for Calizioni, and the main Army.
The Alessanian main force arrived by 2:00PM, and the Mavoians also quickly committed their main forces. The Mavoian Army quickly assembled many of its guns into a grand battery: 256 guns, which began to blast the Alessanian line. This lasted for 20 minutes, before the main attack began.
Bitter fighting began across the line, as Mavoian troops began a massed attack. The Alessanian Army fought for its life, as heavy hand to hand fighting broke out. Despite the sheer ferocity of the attack, the Mavoians were unable to break the Alessanian line, and took heavy losses. General Giuliani decided to send his Cavalry corps into a wide flanking move, not knowing that the Alessanians had done the same. A massive cavalry battle, involving 18,000 cavalrymen broke out near the small village of Fatiro. The massive battle lasted for the entire day, with neither side being able to gain any advantage.
The grape orchard outside of Villa Giusti saw heavy fighting, and changed hands several times, however the Mavoian Attack was called off by dusk, 9:00PM. Both sides had been savaged, for little tangible gain.

Day Two

"A more revolting and sickening spectacle I never beheld."
-General Pero, Commander, Mavoian I Corps on surveying the field after the second day

The fighting on the second day began with an Alessanian Artillery bombardment, with 190 guns firing on the Mavoian line. The Mavoian Grand Battery responded with 200 guns. This artillery duel lasted for an hour, until 9:00AM. Then the Mavoians decided to attack again. What followed was the bloodiest single day of the entire Risorgimento. The Grape Orchard saw the most brutal fighting yet, with elite Grenadiers of the Guard trying to take it from the elite Alessanian Marines. The grape orchard was battered by cannon fire from the Mavoian Guard Artillery. The fighting for the Orchard saw rivers of blood. Fighting elsewhere saw the Alessanian line crack, but not break. The fighting lasted for hours. Giuliani finally committed his last reserve to break the Alessanian line at the Grape Orchard. The Elite Marines were finally broken. The Alessanian Army was only saved by a massed cavalry Charge, that shattered the attacking forces, but was driven off by Mavoian Cavalry. Elite Fusilier-Grenadiers replaced them.
The fighting nevertheless continued, and the two armies continued to clash. Entire Regiments were wiped out where they stood. The fighting continued for several more brutal hours, until 8:00PM, with both armies exhausted, the Armies got what sleep they could in the middle of a field of the dead, and dying. The day had cost both sides at least 13,000 casualties.

Day Three

"I never thought the fighting would continue after such a slaughter."
-General Salichetti, Commander, Mavoian III Corps after the fighting on the third day began

The third day's fighting began at 12:00PM with Alessanian troops attempting to raid the Mavoian batteries. They were driven back in a counterattack, and the Mavoians attacked the Grape Orchard once more. They were repulsed in bitter fighting. Due to the exhaustion of both Armies from the last days' fighting, actions throughout the rest of the day were limited to skirmishing. Neither Army was willing to leave the field yet. Skirmishing continued into the night, ending at 11:00PM. The two Armies rested and recovered.

Day Four

"May the Lord Forgive me for this slaughter."
-General Calizioni after the battle

The Mavoian Army began an attack at 9:00AM, which finally drove the Alessanians from the Grape Orchard, and began to turn its flanks. However, Calizioni, at the head of a division of Infantry took the Grape Orchard back. Fighting continued back and forth for three and a half hours, until 12:30PM, when, at last, Mavoian troops took the Garpe orchard for the last time, and stormed the villa itself. General Calizioni, wishing above all to keep his army intact, ordered a retreat. General Giuliani had his victory.

Aftermath

The human cost of the Battle of Villa Giusti was immense. The Mavoians lost 46,792 men killed or wounded. Massive losses. The Army of the East also lost 11 generals, of whom 4 were killed.
The Alessanians also took massive losses: 39,997 killed or wounded, 9 generals, of whom 2 were dead.
The four days of bloodletting had resulted in a Pyrrhic Victory for the Mavoians, however General Giuliani was sacked for this massacre, considered worse than the less stinging defeat at Fiumecia. It was the bloodiest battle in Predicean history to date.

 

[Predice]

The Battle of Gicocca Woods (August 18th-20th, 1828)

Background

Two months after the Battle of Villa Giusti, and with some rest and refit on both sides, the campaign started up again, with an immediate Mavoian Drive on the heavily fortified city of Alessano. A rude surprise awaited them in the woods 29km west of the city.

Opposing Forces

The Mavoian Army of the East could amass a massive 105,000 men, and 430 guns in five infantry, and one cavalry corps. The Army of the East was led by General Vittorio Alberto de Baricello.
The Alessanian Army of the Peninsula could amass 87,747 men, and 301 guns for the battle in three infantry, and one cavalry corps. Many of the troops were experienced veterans, and they were led by General Pietro Vittorio Calizioni.

Prelude

The Alessanian Army of the Peninusla had found cover in the woods, and had also constructed breastworks to defend their positions. The massive Mavoian Army was advancing in two main columns, with the cavalry corps screening their flank. Two main roads crossed the woods, and were unbeknownst to the Mavoians occupied by Alessanian troops.

Battle

Day One

"All hell broke loose, as the enemy loosed everything they had at us, it is a miracle I survived"
-Unknown Mavoian Sergeant's Diary, August 18th

The Mavoian Army moved towards the woods, without any knowledge of the fact that the entire Alessanian Army of the Peninsula was entrenched to meet them. At 11:15AM, action broke out on the two roads, and quickly spread to the rest of the woods, as a ferocious struggle broke out. The Alessanians loosed volley after volley from behind their breastworks. In desperate fighting, Mavoian Grenadiers, after taking heavy casualties captured a section of the Alessanian battlements, but they were left unsupported, and were forced to retreat. The clash continued into the night, with Mavoian troops unable to break the line again. The fighting ended at 9:30PM, with the Alessanians holding their line.


Day Two

"The Alessanian soldiers are terrible, they do not know, how to run; I rolled their flanks, pierced their centre, and everywhere victory was mine, but they refused to flee!"
-General Baricello in his council of war after the second day

General Baricello was up early on the morning of August 19th, dispatching couriers to order his corps to attack at 6:00AM.
The Alessanian Army had woken early too, and was already manning their battlements, when the Mavoians began their attack, however on this day, numbers began to show. The breastworks on the Alessanian flanks were overwhelmed first, with Alessanian troops slowly giving ground in the thick vegetation. Then disaster struck in the Alessanian centre, as the Mavoians shattered the Alessanian line there too, but the fearless General Calizioni quickly steadied the men, and had a cohesive line in the centre again. The bloody action lasted into the evening, with heavy casualties on both sides. By 6:00PM, both armies had fought to exhaustion. Fighting died out, and the armies prepared for the next day.

Day Three

"The inferno seemed almost apocalyptic, it burned the living, dead, and dying alike."
-Private Marco Chagi's diary, August 20th

General Baricello was up early again, assembling his men for an attack to finally rout the Alessanians from the field.
General Calizioni was also up early, indeed, he had never went to sleep. He was also planning to attack at first light. The Mavoian couriers were delayed, so the Alessanians attacked first, driving the assembling Mavoian forces from the battlements, and retaking them, however a significant Mavoian counterattack recaptured some of them. Heavy hand to hand fighting broke out, as well as point blank fire. One of the musket sparks caused a small blaze, which quickly turned into a massive fire. Both sides fought on until 4:00PM, when the Mavoians disengaged, followed shortly by the Alessanians. The fire burned out of control for a week.

Aftermath

The Alessanians won a minor tactical victory on the field, having battered the Mavoians, but having also lost many irreplacable veterans. The Mavoian Army, instead of retreating, bypassed the burnung forest, continuing to head for Alessano via alternative routes.
The Mavoians lost 40,795 men killed or wounded, while the Alessanians lost 29,989 men killed or wounded, losses they could less readily afford.

 

[Predice]

Battle of L’Aia (August 30th-September 1st, 1828

Background

The battered Alessanian Army of the Peninsula faced the Mavoian Army of the East in one last great field battle at the Hamlet of L’Aia, fighting one last great battle to defend Alessano itself.

Opposing Forces

The Alessanian Army of the Peninsula could assemble a tiny force of just 41,217 men, and 80 guns split into three Infantry Corps.
The Army was terribly weakened, but still had a few trump cards: the Guard Marines of Alessano, the grizzled veterans of the country were with them, along with Fusilier-Grenadiers of the Guard. Although much of the Army was raw, many lacked uniforms, and most were untrained raw conscripts, they were led by an energetic and zealous General: Pietro Vittorio Calizioni.
The Mavoian Army of the West had been downsized, numbering 94,450 men in four infantry and one cavalry corps, supported by 220 guns. They were mostly seasoned troops, hardened by years of campaigning, though many yearned to return home. They were led by General Vittorio Alberto de Baricello.

Prelude

The battered Alessanian Army of the Peninsula deployed for battle near the small hamlet of L’Aia, preparing for a final showdown. The Doge of Alessano had personally arrived, to assume Command of a Corps himself. The significantly larger Mavoian Army assembled for battle around noon.

Battle

Day One

”We are fighting the greatest battle yet of the history of Alessano. This battle determines weather we live or die.”
-General Calizioni in a letter to his wife, August 30th, 1828

The battle began at 12:00PM, with the Mavoian II Corps assembling into an attack. The Doge of Alessano personally led forward 10 squadrons of Cuirassiers, disrupting the attack, before withdrawing, with few casualties on either side. The Doge’s I Corps, and the Mavoian II Corps then met, in heavy fighting. Through the afternoon, the Mavoian Cavalry Corps and the IV Corps began to arrive on the field.
The two new Mavoian Corps were kept in reserve, however, much to the II Corps’ commander’s dismay. The Alessanian I Corps, invigorated by the Doge himself fought defiantly. One of the Conscripts was so raw, however, that the Doge had to personally show him how to load a musket. According to legend, the Doge sighted the cannon himself, like he had at Galatina, 15 years prior. The Doge’s Heroic acts inspired his men, who continued to fight defiantly through the afternoon, inflicting heavy casualties on the Mavoian II Corps. In spite of everything, by dusk, the Doge had the Mavoians on the run, driving the much larger Mavoian Corps before him! But how long could it last? His efforts inspired the other Alessanian troops to advance into the pursuit. Perhaps the Alessanians could win? These hopes were dashed by Mavoian Guard Cavalry, which forced the Alessanians back. Without a doubt, however, the Doge had proven that a fire still burned within him.

Day Two

”I sought a glorious death, contesting foot by foot the soil of the nation. The bullets pierced my clothing, but none reached me.”
-Doge Rigoberto de Casio, reflecting on the battle of L’Aia

Having nearly won the battle on August 30th, the Alessanians assembled to defend the hamlet and its surroundings. The Mavoians had brought their full force to break this little army. The Doge personally rode in front of the entire Army, gathering their courage for one last grand effort.

”His presence was like an electric shock, wherever he was, the men shouted in unison ‘Viva il Doge!’ And charged fearlessly into the attack.”
-Private Carlo Alberto, Alessanian Lineman at L’Aia

At 10AM the Mavoian attack commenced, but to the Mavoian General’s shock, the Alessanians did not stay put. Instead, they loosed a volley, and charged. This caused the Mavoians to turn back with an entire Corps routing ahead of the Alessanian Army. Could a victory still be pulled from the jaws of the defeat? Yet again they Rallied.
A Mavoian sharpshooter fired a shot at the Doge at point blank range that came within inches of ending his life. His metal cigarette box had caught the bullet, and although shaken, the Doge continued to lead the attack. The Mavoians however, assembled reserves, and launched a fierce counterattack, to throw the Alessanians back. Despite the dogged resistance of the young Alessanian Conscripts, the advance was beaten back. The Doge of Alessano personally rallied the men, however, and formed a line, with which to beat the enemy back. There was fierce fighting, however his battered troops were backed up by the Alessanian Reserve Corps. The heroic fight for survival by the Alessanians kept the Mavoians back for hours, as the young conscripts fought to the very best of their abilities, fighting to defend their homes. It was a fight to the very end, with both sides taking heavy casualties. Eventually however, it became clear that the Mavoians would break through. The Doge, understanding this, withdrew the Alessanian Forces back to the L’Aia line. By this point the Doge had largely taken over command of the Army from his charismatic subordinate, giving him his old Corps. Even still, the fighting was fierce. Through the evening the attacks against the Alessanians continued, parried expertly, blow by blow by the Alessanians. At last the fighting closed on the second day. A day of some of the most desperate fighting of the entire Risorgimento, with many losses. Despite this, neither side was able to achieve a decisive victory.

Day Three

”Men! We are insurmountably outnumbered today. On this day, more than any day ever before, we fight for our honour.”
-The Doge of Alessano in a speech to the Army on September 1st

The Doge of Alessano knew that his game was up. His Army had been battered, and the enemy had been bolstered. He decided to fight a rearguard, personally. To allow the rest of the Army to withdraw successfully. With just 6,400 men, he prepared for a fight.
Among his 6,400 men were the Fusilier-Grenadiers of the Guard, light Grenadiers, and Fusiliers of the Line, made up largely of young and raw recruits. This rearguard would conduct a fighting withdrawal towards Alessano. The Doge personally inspired the men to fight on, as he was with them. The day’s fighting began at 8AM, with fierce fighting between the reargurard and the Mavoian I Corps. Fighting was absolutely brutal. The heavily outnumbered Alessanians fought with unparalleled desperation, and with the Doge’s heavy encouragement, the Mavoian attack was thrown back. The Mavoians had a bloody enough nose to not pursue when the Alessanians began to withdraw. The battle was over by 11AM on September 1st. The Mavoians had forced the Alessanians back.

Aftermath

The Mavoians had won a costly victory, which allowed them to advance on Alessano itself. Mavoian forces likely took around 20,000 men killed or wounded. The Alessanians lost 11,000 men killed or wounded in their last stand of bravado. The Battle of L’Aia led directly to the siege of Alessano, a two year ordeal that ended in early 1831. There were no more field battles in Alessatia after L’Aia. Predice would be formed on April 9th, 1831.