Napoleon had intelligence which Wurmser wanted.

Wurmser himself was his mark; and he returned from Trent to Primolano where the Imperialist's vanguard lay, by a forced march of not less than sixty miles performed in two days.

The surprise with which this descent was received may be imagined.
The Austrian van was destroyed in a twinkling.

The French, pushing everything before them, halted that night at Cismone--where Napoleon was glad to have half a private soldier's ration of bread for his supper.
Next day he reached Bassano where the aged Marshal once more expected the fatal rencounter.

The battle of Bassano (Sept.