Never have natural obstacles told more potently on the fortunes of war than at Rivoli; for on the side where the assailants most needed horses and guns they could not be used; while on the eastern edge of their broken front their cannon and horse, crowded together in the valley of the Adige, had to climb the winding road under the plunging fire of the French infantry and artillery.

Nevertheless, such was the ardour of the Austrian attack, that the tide of battle at first set strongly in their favour.

Driving the French from the San Marco ridge and pressing their centre hard between Monte Baldo and Rivoli, they made it possible for their troops in the valley to struggle on towards the foot of the zigzag; and on the west their distant right wing was already beginning to threaten the French rear.

Despite the arrival of Massena's troops from Verona about 9 a.m., the republicans showed signs of unsteadiness.

Joubert on the ground above the Adige, Berthier in the centre, and Massena on the left, were gradually forced back.