But he proved unable to stop the Russo-Austrian advance. He was defeated by Austrian General Pál Kray at the Battle of Magnano on April 5. "Schérer went into this battle without forming a reserve and was thus unable to react to crisis or opportunities effectively." Forced to retire behind the river Mincio, he gave up command to Jean Moreau. Because of his loss of Italy he was forced to appear before a committee of inquiry. After securing an acquittal, he retired to private life on his estate at Chauny in Picardy, where he died in 1804. References Chandler, David. The Campaigns of Napoleon. New York: Macmillan, 1966. Smith, Digby. The Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill, 1998. Footnotes External links website of the city of Delle about Schérer Barthélemy Louis Joseph Schérer (1747-1804) The Encyclopedia of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars 1747 births 1804 deaths People from the Territoire de Belfort French generals Military leaders of the French Revolutionary Wars French Republican military leaders of the French Revolutionary Wars French Ministers of War 18th-century French politicians Names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe