Nevertheless, the worthy Dallemagne was very reluctant to refuse my father the men he asked for, for he knew that, if he asked for them, it was because he believed himself to be hard pressed. So, towards noon, he wrote him from Casanova:-- "GENERAL DALLEMAGNE to GENERAL DUMAS. "I have just heard, General, that the bridge of Formigosa is still standing; so I have given General Montant orders to start off for Formigosa with 500 men and two pieces of artillery, and have given him the necessary instructions to take the enemy in the rear, in the event of your being attacked.--Yours, DALLEMAGNE." The following copy, which was attached to this letter, explains why the bridge at Formigosa had not been destroyed:-- "Copy of the letter written by CITIZEN DORÉ, Head of the 1st Battalion of the 64th Demi-Brigade, to GENERAL DALLEMAGNE. "I have to inform you, General, that in accordance with the instructions I received last night from General Serrurier, I went this morning to Governolo with my battalion; the general had instructed me to break the bridge at Formigosa before I left Governolo. "When I began to carry out his order, the commandant of a detachment of the 45th demi-brigade, who occupied that position, opposed the execution of this order, as being contrary to the instructions you gave him, saying that we ought at all events to make sure the enemy was in sight first. I yielded to his argument, which seemed to me reasonable. "_Signed_: DORÉ. "Authenticated copy. DALLEMAGNE." At six o'clock my father received this third letter:-- "HEADQUARTERS AT MONTANARA, "_26 Nivôse, 4.30 o'clock._ "GENERAL DALLEMAGNE to GENERAL DUMAS. "Fearing that General Montant and his 500 men have not yet reached Formigosa, I have just written to him to hasten his march. As General Serrurier notifies me that in case of attack we must hold out to the last extremity, if the enemy attacks me, as I quite expect he will, and you see that those 500 men will not be of much use to you, do me the kindness to send them back to me; so that if the enemy attacks us we shall be better able to meet them.--Ever yours, "DALLEMAGNE." We see how anxious this worthy Dallemagne was at the thought of my father incurring any danger. But it was Miollis who was to bear the brunt throughout that day, not my father. Provera had marched straight before him, and, by way of Cevea, Sanguinetto, Torre, and Castellaro, had drawn up in front of St. Georges, where Miollis was in command. The Austrian general knew what a bad state the fortifications of St. Georges were in, so he was in good hopes that Miollis would not even attempt to dispute his passing, therefore he simply asked him to surrender.