Radetzky hurriedly said, "Marshal, the enemy is clearly trying to seize control of Trento and ease the defensive pressure on Mantua."
Trento lay northwest of Venice, with the Alps to its north. The city itself was built halfway up a mountainside. If the French Army occupied it, they could head south along the Adige River at any time to harass Verona, or push east through Dolomite Pass and threaten Vicenza and the regions farther north.
Chief of Staff Werneck cautiously reminded him, "But the cavalry reported that they only have a little over a thousand men..."
Archduke Karl immediately waved a hand. "There must be a much larger force nearby."
Indeed, although the Austrian Hussars had discovered only a little over a thousand French soldiers, they did not dare let down their guard. Every soldier in that force was tall and powerfully built, mounted on expensive warhorses, and carried the dolphin fleur-de-lis banners.
The Austrians had often seen them near Mantua Fortress—the Crown Prince of France's Guard Grenadier Battalion.
Their appearance meant that the Crown Prince of France should be on his way to Trento.
And there could not possibly be no other main forces around him.
Archduke Karl looked at Werneck. "How many soldiers do we have in Trento?"
"About six thousand."
After a brief hesitation, Archduke Karl ordered, "Transfer seven thousand men from Primorano and Mas to assist in the defense.
"Also, have the Bajachaza Legion move to Peri so it can reinforce Trento at any time."
Peri Town lay in the middle section of Lake Garda, at the westernmost edge of the Mantua defensive line. While it was convenient for supporting Trento, stationing troops there would inevitably affect the offensive against Mantua.
Radetzky suddenly narrowed his eyes and said to Archduke Karl, "Marshal, since the French have