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Rh were on the extreme left of the front of the allied army. These divisions were making a reconnoissance of the fields between Lake Garda and Pozzolengo towards Peschiera, and seeing the Austrians posted on a ridge they advanced to attack them. At first they drove them back, but a reinforcement of Austrians came up and the Piedmontese in their turn were compelled to retire. General Benedek had 25,000 men occupying a large expanse of country. Two brigades were at some distance from the main body, but the Piedmontese made no attempt to take advantage of this insecure position. When General Benedek had dispersed their advance guard he sought to cut off their line of retreat, but General Mollard coming on with the 3d Piedmontese brigade took up the fight and marched to the attack on San Martino. The steep height was twice scaled by 6,000 Piedmontese and twice they were driven back, followed and crowded upon Rivoltella, thus losing all the advantages they had previously gained.

While these encounters were taking place Marshals MacMahon and Baraguey d' Hilliers notified head-quarters that the Austrians were throwing out heavy columns on the hills of Solferino and Carriano. Therefore the emperor left Montichiaro and took a new position at Castiglione, accompanied by his staff and personal escort. The advancing columns of the French were spread out at too great a distance to render one another any effective support. The 3d corps was sent to support the 4th corps and to stop an Austrian corps which was marching from Mantua upon Ossola. The 2d Piedmontese division turned from the Solferino road to find their 3d and 5th divisions defeated at San Martino, but their assistance was of no avail as the ranks were already badly broken and scattered.

Marshal Baraguey d' Hilliers, thus unsupported on his left wing and menaced on his right makes ready for the