The Republic of Cisalpine was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in June 1797 in Northern Italy during the revolutionary wars. This Republic included Lombardi, the territory of the former Cispadane Republic, Romania and some others. In May 1799 - June 1800 it was occupied by Austrian troops. In January 1802 The Republic of Cisalpine was transformed into the Italian Republic.
The Kingdom of Italy which was formed from Lombardy, Tsispadanskaya and Tsizapilskaya republics originates on March 17, 1805. After 2 months, on May 26, 1805 in Milan, Napoleon was crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy. After the war with Austria, according to the Pressburg Peace Treaty, the Republic of Venice and South Tyrol was attached to the Kingdom of Italy. Napoleon's stepson Eugene de Beauharnais received the title of Viceroy of Italy.
The history of formation and development of the Kingdom of Italy and their army begins the name of Eugene (Eugene) Beauharnais. He became the ruler of Italy at the age of 24 years. In the same 1805 Eugene got the big Cross of the Order of the Iron Crown and the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Hubert of Bavaria. After becoming a king of the whole country, he forced the Civil Code of Napoleon into application, reorganized the army, build canals, strengthening and schools. For his actions directing to the prosperity of the country he has managed to earn the love and respect of his people.
On December 23, 1805, Eugene (Eugene) Beauharnais received the command of the corps, which has blocked Venice. On January 3, 1806 he was appointed as a commander of the Italian army, January 12, 1806 – as a Governor General of Venice. January 14, 1806 Eugene Beauharnais had merried the daughter of the King of Bavaria August-Amelia (1788-1851), and two days later Napoleon adopted his stepson.
On December 20, 1807 Beauharnais received the title of Prince of Venice. On April 2, 1808, his state expanded further because of the territories that have been taken from the papal throne. Eugene advocated for reconciliation of Napoleon and Pope Pius VII. On April 9, 1809 Eugene was appointed as a commander of the Italian army again. Joining the Great Army he took part in the battle of Wagram. After that he participated in the suppression of the revolt in Tyrol.
Since January 10, 1812 Eugene has been commanding the Italian observational corps which was renamed as the 4th Infantry Corps of the Grand Army on April 1, 1812. The 4th Corps that was under the command of Viceroy showed their best in the battles of Ostrovno (July 27, 1812), Vitebsk, Smolensk (August 17, 1812), at Borodino (September 7, 1812), at Maloyaroslavets, Krasny(November 16, 1812) and on the Berezina. Leaving the remnants of the army in Smorgon the Emperor handed the command to his brother-in-low Murat, the King of Naples. But on November 17, 1812 Murat abandoned remnants of the troops and left instead of to organize the defense of Vilna.
Eugene Beauharnais assumed the command of the remnants of the Grand Army and brought it to Magdeburg. In April 1813 he temporarily commanded the 5th and the 11th Corps of the Grand Army. On May 16, 1813 he was appointed as a commander of the Italian observational army, of the Illyrian Provinces and of the 27th, the 28th and the 29th Military Districts. He began to organize a new Italian army to fight with Murat. In 1814 before Napoleon abdicated, the Italian army was under the command of Prince Eugene de Beauharnais.
On February 8, 1814 he won the battle of the Mincio. Only April 16, 1812 an agreement was signed with the Austrian General Bellegarde, relying on which the war was to end.
The next day Eugene Beauharnais handed the functions of command over the French army in Italy to General Grenier, and on April 20, 1814 the functions of Viceroy to General Pino.
