Capture of Bergamo explained

Conflict:Capture of Bergamo
Place:Bergamo (incl. Visconti Citadel), Northern Italy
Result:Russian victory
Commander1: Pyotr Bagration

Adrian Denisov
Commander2: Barthélemy Schérer
Casualties1:Unknown
Casualties2:Up to 130 men captured;
1 standard captured;
19 cannons captured
Units1:Bagration's Advance Guard
  • Grekov Don Cossack regiment
  • Part of Denisov Don Cossack regiment
Units2:Bergamo Garrison
Partof:the Italian and Swiss expedition of 1799

The capture of Bergamo (ru|Взятие Бергамо; fr|Prise De Bergame; 24 April 1799) during Suvorov's Italian campaign, War of the Second Coalition, when 2 Don Cossack regiments of Prince Bagration's vanguard under the command of and Ataman Denisov quickly and unexpectedly attacked the town of Bergamo occupied by the French garrison and seized Citadel of Bergamo. The attack proved successful for the Russians. The French army was led by Barthélemy Schérer.

Action development

Before the main forces of Bagration's vanguard crossed the Oglio River, Grekov, with his Cossack regiment and part of Denisov regiment, was sent to pursue the French rearguard retreating from Palazzolo sull'Oglio to Bergamo. The Cossacks rushed in pursuit and entered the town (fortified and crowded) suddenly and unexpectedly. The French had no sooner entered the citadel of Bergamo than it was already occupied. The Cossacks captured 130 prisoners, 19 siege guns, 1 standard, many weapons, and military supplies at Bergamo.

Sources