Battle of Ceva

Battle of Ceva
Part of the Montenotte campaign in the Italian campaign of 1796–1797

Evacuation of the fortress of Ceva by the Sardinian army. Drawing by Giuseppe Pietro Bagetti, 1802–1806.
Date16 April 1796
Location
Ceva, Piedmont (present day Italy)
44°23′N 08°02′E / 44.383°N 8.033°E / 44.383; 8.033
Result French victory
Belligerents
France Sardinia
Commanders and leaders
Napoleon Bonaparte Giuseppe Felice, Count Vital
Strength
7,908 6,000
Casualties and losses
600 over 150

In the Battle of Ceva on 16 April 1796, troops of the First French Republic under General Pierre Augereau fought against part of the army of the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont led by General Giuseppe Felice, Count Vital. Augereau assaulted the strong defensive position without success. At the direction of the Sardinian army commander, Feldmarschal-Leutnant Michelangelo Colli, Vital withdrew on the 17th in order to avoid being trapped by a second French division.