But that would sever their connections with the Sardinians, whose base of supplies, Turin, lay in a north-westerly direction.
Bonaparte therefore hurled his forces at once against the Austrians and a Sardinian contingent at Millesimo, and defeated them, Augereau's division cutting off the retreat of twelve hundred of their men under Provera.

Weakened by this second blow, the allies fell back on the intrenched village of Dego.

Their position was of a strength proportionate to its strategic importance; for its loss would completely sever all connection between their two main armies save by devious routes many miles in their rear.

They therefore clung desperately to the six mamelons and redoubts which barred the valley and dominated some of the neighbouring heights.

Yet such was the superiority of the French in numbers that these positions were speedily turned by Massena, whom Bonaparte again intrusted with the movement on the enemy's flank and rear.