Reincarnated as Napoleon

Chapter 85 Fall Of Mantua

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The day after, Napoleon watched as Ciela boarded her carriage surrounded by French troops handpicked by the Directory.

Ciela swung the curtain aside and waved to Napoleon, a mixture of excitement and sadness in her eyes. He stood by the entrance of the grand ducal palace, his heart heavy with the knowledge that they would be separated once again.

Napoleon returned the gesture with a solemn nod, his gaze fixed on Ciela's carriage as it slowly moved away. Meanwhile, Brigadier General Murat walked forward and stood next to him.

"So how was your day yesterday, General?" Murat asked, grinning goofily. "Let me guess, was it fulfilling?"

"Ah you have no idea, Murat," Napoleon said with a smug look on his face. "You can only imagine."

Napoleon's playful response earned a chuckle from Murat, who was well acquainted with the passionate love shared between Napoleon and Ciela. As the carriage disappeared from sight, Murat turned his attention back to Napoleon.

"So, General? Shall we head out as well?"

Napoleon's gaze lingered on the spot where Ciela's carriage had vanished before he refocused his attention on Murat. A determined glint flashed in his eyes as he nodded in response.

"Yes, Murat. It's time to resume our campaign," Napoleon declared.

***

Days turned to weeks as Napoleon resumed their campaign. Most notably, they focused their efforts on the stubborn fortress of Mantua. General Serurier took charge of the siege, utilizing a vast array of cannons and artillery to batter the city's defenses relentlessly.

Napoleon, accompanied by Murat and a contingent of his trusted officers, arrived at the outskirts of Mantua to oversee the final stages of the siege. The once-majestic city now lay in ruins, its walls crumbling under the relentless barrage of cannon fire.

As they approached the command center, the distant rumble of artillery filled the air, mingling with the shouts and clamor of soldiers preparing for the final assault. Napoleon's eyes scanned the scene, taking in the determination etched on the faces of his men, the smoke-filled sky serving as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made in pursuit of victory.

General Serurier emerged from the command tent, his face stained with soot and weariness evident in his eyes. He saluted Napoleon, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion as he delivered the news.

"General, we have made significant progress in breaching the city's defenses. The relentless bombardment has taken its toll, and Mantua's surrender seems imminent."

Napoleon's lips curled into a confident smile. "Excellent, Serurier. Your diligence and the perseverance of our troops will soon be rewarded. We must maintain the pressure until the city capitulates."

With the final assault imminent, Napoleon gathered his officers for a briefing, outlining the strategic plan that would bring Mantua to its knees.

As dusk settled over the battlefield, the troops stood ready, their eyes fixed on the city's battered walls. The silence was palpable, tension hanging heavy in the air. Then, with a resounding cry, the assault began.

The French soldiers surged forward, their bayonets gleaming in the fading light as they stormed the breaches in Mantua's defenses. The battle raged on, the clash of steel and the roar of cannons and muskets reverberating through the streets.

Within the heart of the city, resistance crumbled under the weight of the French onslaught. The defenders, weary and outnumbered, could no longer hold back the tide. As the French flag was raised high above the citadel, a beacon of triumph, a signal of Mantua's impending surrender.

Napoleon stood at the vantage point with his spyglass, while Murat stood several inches in front of him. The long tube of the spyglass rested on Murat's shoulder, providing support.

He saw the flags of the Austrians slowly being lowered, replaced by the victorious tricolor of the French. In real history, the Austrians would launch four attacks to relieve Mantua, but in this world, there would be nothing to relieve.

"The key to Italy has fallen," Napoleon muttered under his breath. One might wonder why Mantua is called the Key to Italy and why it is important. Well, the reason is that Mantua's strategic location made it a vital stronghold in northern Italy. Situated at the crossroads of major trade routes and nestled between the Po River and Lake Garda, Mantua held significant importance for controlling the region.

Firstly, Mantua acted as a gateway to various regions of Italy. Its location allowed for easy access to Lombardy, Venetia, and the eastern territories, making it a crucial hub for trade and transportation. By capturing Mantua, Napoleon would gain control over a major artery that connected northern Italy to the rest of the country. This provided him with a significant advantage in terms of military mobility and logistical support.

Secondly, Mantua's fortified walls and strategic defenses made it a formidable obstacle for any invading force. Its fortifications were among the most advanced of their time. Holding Mantua meant having a strong defensive position that could serve as a launching pad for further expansion into Italy. It would provide a secure base from which Napoleon could project his power and exert control over the surrounding territories.

Moreover, the capture of Mantua would have dealt a severe blow to Austrian ambitions in Italy. The Austrians had long sought to maintain their influence and control over the Italian states. By wresting Mantua from their grasp, Napoleon not only weakened the Austrian position in northern Italy but also disrupted their supply lines and severed their connections with their Italian allies.

For the Austrians, losing Mantua would be a devastating blow to them. And so they would do everything in their power to take it back from him. However, Napoleon is not going to let that happen.

Five o'clock in the afternoon, July 28th, 1796, Mantua officially capitulated with Josef Franz Canto d'Irles' marching out of the fortress with his troops in full surrender. The once-proud Austrian general looked defeated and humiliated, his head held low as he passed by the victorious French soldiers. Napoleon watched the procession with satisfaction.

"How many of them did we capture?" Napoleon asked, glancing at Murat.

"According to the reports, fourteen thousand Austrians surrendered along with 200 guns, 50 standards. A major loss if I must say," Murat commented and continued. "It's a good thing that the cannons that we asked for from Directory arrived in ships. I heard of the news that a Royal Navy ship-of-the-line exploded off the coast of Bussana. What's our next plan, General?"

As Murat asked, Marmont arrived at his side.

"General, a telegraph from Brescia."

Napoleon grabbed a slip of paper and read it. "Enemy columns spotted in the north, the Austrians are attacking from both sides of Lake Garda."

After reading the message, Napoleon swiftly barked orders.

"Prepare for an immediate departure and inform Serurier to continue overseeing the surrender. Also, alert Massena, Augereau, Despinois, Sauret, and Kilmaine to mobilize. We are going to prepare a grand reception for the Austrians."

"Yes sir!"