Joseph was not surprised. The Vienna Revolutionary Army's strength was far inferior to that of the Austro-Russian Allied Forces; even if their numbers had been equal, their commanders were still streets behind Kutuzov. A crushing defeat had been inevitable.
"What are the losses?"
Berthier opened his notebook. "Two Infantry Divisions and one cavalry battalion of the National Guard were completely routed. Including the fighting in Pressburg and the northern suburbs, casualties have exceeded twenty thousand."
He immediately added, "Most of those ambushed were Vienna veterans who had previously defected to Parliament. At present, the National Guard's eastern defensive line is steadily retreating."
More than thirteen thousand former Austrian Army soldiers had chosen to side with the National Assembly, and they had formed the National Guard's core fighting strength. With those troops lost, the National Guard might appear to still have eighty or ninety thousand men, but they were basically all recruits with less than four months of training.
Joseph nodded. "Has their Parliament passed a resolution to retreat southwest?"
At his suggestion, the National Assembly had successfully orchestrated an uprising in Innsbruck at the end of last month. The insurgents, mainly university students and merchants, swiftly defeated the several hundred local garrison troops and, with the cooperation of Konstanz's citizens, captured the city.
At present, the two Austrian provinces west of the Alps had both raised the black-red-yellow tricolor that symbolized revolution.
"The National Assembly still seems to be arguing," Berthier said. "As you know, many believe that abandoning Vienna would amount to total defeat." Joseph rubbed his brow helplessly. "Once their army has been worn away, they will not be able to leave even if they want to. We need to help them make up their minds."
After a brief moment of thought, he ordered, "Spread word throughout Vienna