Two other divisions also moved in an oblique line from the upper
course of the above-mentioned river, crossed it on a pontoon bridge, and
were directed to maintain their communications with Angioletti's on the
left, whilst the eighth and fourth would have formed its right. These
five divisions were the avant garde of the main body of the Italian army.
I am not in a position to tell you the exact line the army thus advancing
from the Oglio has followed, but I have been told that, in order to avoid
the possibility of repeating the errors which occurred in the action of
the 24th, the three corps d'armee have been directed to march in such a
manner as to enable them to present a compact mass should they meet the
enemy. Contrary to all expectations, Angioletti's division was allowed to
enter and occupy Castellucchio without firing a shot. As its vanguard
reached the hamlet of Ospedaletto it was informed that the Austrians had
left Castellucchio during the night, leaving a few hussars, who, in their
turn, retired on Mantua as soon as they saw the cavalry Angioletti had
sent to reconnoitre both the country and the borough of Castellucchio.
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