Battle of Garigliano (1503): Difference between revisions

While the Spanish commander hesitated as to whether to attack or to retreat, he received reinforcements from Naples led by [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]] and Orsini. He then decided to move some units in order to convince Ludovico that he was retreating towards the [[Volturno]] river. With Diego de Mendoza holding the rearguard with 300 men-at-arms and 5,000-6,000 infantry,{{sfn|Mallett&Shaw|2012|p=68}} Cordoba had devised a stratagem to cross the river using bridges made out of boats and barrels, which he had built in the castle of [[Mondragone]], 12 kilometers south of the Spanish camp.

 

During the night between 27 and 28 December, the Spanish brought the bridging materials to a place near the castle of [[Suio]], in a position invisible to the French, some six kilometers north of the latter's camp. D'Alviano, commander of the Spanish vanguard, had the construction begin at dawn. By 10 AM some 3,500 Spaniards had crossed the Garigliano.{{sfn|Mallett&Shaw|2012|p=68}}