Capture of Bergamo
The capture of Bergamo took place 24 April 1799 during Suvorov's Italian campaign as part of War of the Second Coalition, when 2 Don Cossack regiments of Prince Bagration's vanguard under the command of and Ataman Denisov quickly and unexpectedly attacked the town of Bergamo occupied by the French garrison and seized Citadel of Bergamo. The attack proved successful for the Russians. The French army was led by Barthélemy Schérer.
Action development
Before the main forces of Bagration's vanguard crossed the Oglio River, Grekov, with his Cossack regiment and part of Denisov regiment, was sent to pursue the French rearguard retreating from Palazzolo sull'Oglio to Bergamo. He consisted of 150 men and carried 6 guns, as well as his position was on a steep hill. Grekov personally led the soldiers to attack in a heavy battle, Denisov arrived at the end of the skirmish, describing his actions, he notes the heroism shown by Grekov and Cossacks:The Cossacks victory this clash and rushed in pursuit and entered the town suddenly and unexpectedly, that's why the French offered no resistance to the Cossacks. When citadel seized, the Cossacks captured 130 prisoners, 19 siege guns, 1 standard, many weapons, and military supplies at Bergamo. Suvorov was very pleased with the successful operation. Despite the rain and mud, he arrived in Bergamo and congratulated Grekov and Denisov on their victory. The capture of the fortress allowed the main troops to reach the Adda River, where the 27,000–28,000 of Schérer's army was defeated in the ensuing battles of Lecco and Cassano. This battle cost the French a 6,900–7,500 casualties, incl. 5,000 captured. Allied casualties range from 2,000 to 4,886, incl. 1,000 captured. Participants in the operation to capture Bergamo also took part in it.