The Ragged Army

In March 1796, when Napoleon arrived at Nice to take command of the Army of Italy, he found approximately 37,000 demoralized soldiers who had not been paid in months. Officers openly discussed mutiny. Equipment was scarce—some soldiers lacked boots, many units had no ammunition. The troops mockingly referred to their new commander as "the little corporal" for his slight stature and youth.

Yet within days, Napoleon had transformed the atmosphere. His first proclamation remains a masterpiece of military psychology: "Soldiers, you are naked and half-starved. I will lead you into the most fertile plains in the world. Rich provinces and great cities will be in your power." He promised glory and wealth, appealing to both idealism and greed. More importantly, he delivered rapid victories that made his promises credible.

Napoleon's approach differed radically from the deliberate, siege-based warfare of the 18th century. He emphasized speed, concentration of force, and living off the land. "I have destroyed the enemy merely by marches," he would later boast. This mobility required a new kind of soldier—motivated by nationalism and personal loyalty rather than aristocratic obligation or mercenary payment.