Bonaparte decided to launch three divisions in an offensive to the north. On 3 September 1796, Pijon reported to his army commander that the Austrians were defending Serravalle near Ala in the Trentino. Bonaparte ordered an attack and Pijon pushed Josef Philipp Vukassovich's soldiers out of the hamlet. He played an important role in the Battle of Rovereto on 4 September. His flanking move influenced the Austrians to retreat from Marco in the morning. Later in the day, he helped break through the enemy blocking position at Calliano. After beating the Austrians in the Battle of Bassano on 8 September, Bonaparte pursued Wurmser toward Mantua. Masséna caught up with the Austrians at Cerea on 11 September. At first, Pijon and Joachim Murat captured the town from Peter Karl Ott von Bátorkéz. Ott managed to retake the place and the French had to wait until Victor's brigade arrived before they attacked again at 2:00 PM. The bulk of Wurmser's column also arrived and the day ended in a French defeat with the loss of 736 prisoners and seven guns. The French suffered an additional 400 killed and wounded. Austrian losses are not known though the "Esterhazy" Infantry Regiment Nr. 34 was mauled in the action.