The Sardinian/ Piedmontese.

The Sardinians had proved their worth during the Crimean War where her small but well disciplined army gained much respect from both the British and French after its performance on the Chernaya River. In 1859 it numbered some 30,000 men, which was raised to 70,000 when all reserves were called to the colours. Frederick Engles gave a glowing account of them in 1855 when he wrote:

The Piedmontese army is as fine and soldier-like a body of men as any in Europe. Like the French, they are small in size, especially the infantry; their guards do not average even five feet four inches; but what with their tasteful dress, military bearing, well-knit but agile frames, and fine Italian features, they look better than any body of bigger men. …The percussion- musket is the general arm of the infantry; but the Bersaglieri have the short Tyrolese rifles, good and useful weapons, but inferior to the Minié in every respect. [1]

The force available for immediate action consisted of five infantry divisions and one cavalry division, supported by 90 guns.

Tactics for the infantry were along Austrian lines, although some changes were taking place in the use of company columns and more linear formations.

Piedmontese Uniforms

The cavalry consisted of dragoons, lancers, hussars and carabineers, and the lance itself may have been carried by the first rank of each squadron in all regiments. [2] Battlefield tactics were the same as the French and Austrian, together with the failure in reconnaissance that plagued both those armies.

The artillery remained smoothbore, having 16 pound and 8 pound cannon and 15cm Howitzers mounted on the “Cavalli” gun carriage. The “voloira” or flying artillery consisted of light 6 or 8 pound cannon and was much the same as the French horse artillery.