After hearing of the French defeats in Germany, he knew that the Directors could spare him very few of the 25,000 troops whom he demanded as reinforcements.
He was also aware that the Pope, incensed at his recent losses in money and lands, was seeking to revivify the First Coalition.

The pacific precepts addressed by the young Corsican to the Papacy must therefore be viewed in the light of merely mundane events and of his secret advice to the French agent at Rome: "The great thing is to gain time....

Finally, the game really is for us to throw the ball from one to the other, so as to deceive this old fox."[65] From these diplomatic amenities the general was forced to turn to the hazards of war.

Gauging Bonaparte's missive at its true worth, the Emperor determined to re-conquer Italy, an enterprise that seemed well within his powers.

In the month of October victory had crowned the efforts of his troops in Germany.