The Austrian commander, Sebottendorf, now hastily ranged his men along the eastern bank of the river, so as to defend the bridge and prevent any passage of the river by boats or by a ford above the town.

The Imperialists numbered only 9,627 men; they were discouraged by defeats and by the consciousness that no serious stand could be attempted before they reached the neighbourhood of Mantua; and their efforts to break down the bridge were now frustrated by the French, who, posted behind the walls of Lodi on the higher bank of the stream, swept their opponents' position with a searching artillery fire.

Having shaken the constancy of his foes and refreshed his own infantry by a brief rest in Lodi, Bonaparte at 6 p.m.secretly formed a column of his choicest troops and hurled it against the bridge.

A hot fire of grapeshot and musketry tore its front, and for a time the column bent before the iron hail.

But, encouraged by the words of their young leader, generals, corporals, and grenadiers pressed home their charge.