By forcing the Austrians to deploy vast forces against him at Genoa, Masséna made it possible for Bonaparte to cross Great St Bernard Pass, surprise the Austrians, and ultimately defeat General Michael von Melas's Austrian army at Marengo before sufficient reinforcements could be transferred from the siege site. Less than three weeks after the evacuation, Bonaparte wrote to Masséna, I am not able to give you a greater mark of the confidence I have in you than by giving you command of the first army of the Republic [Army of Italy]. Even the Austrians recognized the significance of Masséna's defense; the Austrian chief of staff declared firmly, You won the battle, not in front of Alessandria but in front of Genoa. Masséna was made commander of French forces in Italy, though he was later dismissed by Napoleon. Despite the praise, Napoleon also criticized Massena for capitulating too early in his memoirs, contrasting his actions with those of the Gauls under Vercingetorix when besieged by Julius Caesar in the Battle of Alesia.