NOVARA was the scene of a battle on March 23, 1849, between the Austrians, 70.000 strong with 182 guns, under Radetsky and King Charles Albert, who led the Sardinian forces, 65,00o men with 140 guns. Chzarnowski, a Pole, virtually directed the army. Armistice, concluded Aug. 9, 1848, was to terminate March 20. Radetsky retreated from Milan on March 17, feigning to retire to Lodi-Cremona, but on reaching San Angiolo he made for Pavia, crossing the Ticino on March 20. Meanwhile Chzarnowski marched on Magenta without encountering the enemy, but here news reached him that the Austrians, whom he had believed were retiring beyond the river Adda, were already at Pavia ; thereupon he halted the army and turned it back to Vigevano. Radetsky had advanced so swiftly that Ramorino's Sardinian division south of the Po was cut off, the bridge at Mezzano Corte being destroyed, though it had orders to stand at Cava, threatening the hostile advance. Fighting took place at Mortara on March 21, the Sar dinians falling back on Novara, where Chzarnowski decided to await Radetsky. The Austrian leader received a false report that there was only a rearguard at Novara, the main hostile force being at Vercelli. Radetsky moved with his troops on Vercelli, sending
the II. Corps on Novara. On approaching this town the II. Corps, March 23, was confronted by the whole Sardinian army, drawn up in a strong position. Fighting began at II A.M., and for hours it had to contend against serious odds, showing great tenacity against hostile attacks. At 4 o'clock, Radetsky having recalled the III. Corps, sent it to its assistance, shortly followed by the Reserve Corps. Two hours later the IV. Corps, hearing the sound of guns, came on the scene, threatening the Sardinian right wing and rear by the Vercelli-Novara road, cutting off their retreat. Radetsky now ordered a general advance, and the Sardinians were swept off the Vercelli road, retreating hastily to Novara from all points. Numerous bodies deserted during the night and confusion was general. Charles Albert abdicated that night. His son, Victor Emanuel, the new sovereign, concluded an armistice with Ra detsky, the Sardinians escaping a surrender, which would have been inevitable; thereupon the Austrian advance on Turin came abruptly to a close.