This was the scene of a lot of action for the Waldensians. First, there was the worry about the pickets of the Duke of Savoy at the Col du Mont Cenis, but they encountered no human resistance, only a storm. They then passed through the Col du Petit Mont Cenis, and ascended the river valley of the Savine, crossing over the Col Clapier into the Clapier River valley. This was/is an exceedingly steep descent - I've driven by it, and it is impressive!
This is supposedly the route Hannibal took in crossing the Alps.
Descending toward the town of Susa, they were attacked and repulsed by French troops in Giaglione. They encountered militia from the fort at Exilles on the slopes of the Quattro Denti, and continued toward a bridge over the Dora River at Salbertrand. The bridge was guarded by a large French detachment, with an encampment on the other side of the Dora. There were 2500 soldiers under the command of the Marquis de Larry.
An advance column of Waldensians attacked the bridge and were repelled. Now, with the garrison in Exilles, Susa, and now across the bridge at Salbetrand, the Waldensians were surrounded.
Henri Arnauld, their leader, decided to attack at night. The troops said their prayers and attacked. The first two attacks failed, with five deaths. The third attack succeeded and Waldensians poured across the bridge toward the French encampment.
Since most of the French believed the Waldensians couldn't make it across the bridge, the soldiers slept soundly. The Waldensians swept through the camp brandishing their beidanes (basically machetes). Although heavily outnumbered, they took the French by surprise, who fled.
Having crossed a major choke point, they continued up the southern slope into the heart of the Piedmont.
March from Col du Mont Cenis to Salbertran. Click on the map to get an expanded version. The route is shown in red.
No comments:
Post a Comment