In the spring of 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte took command of the army of Italy. At the beginning of the Montenotte Campaign on 10 April, Cervoni's 3,500-man brigade was attacked by 10,000 Austrians led by Johann Beaulieu at Voltri (now a suburb of Genoa). Cervoni "conducted a masterly withdrawal to the west, eluding the trap." Bonaparte quickly counterattacked, compelled the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont to make peace, and forced the Austrians to retreat. During the pursuit of the Austrian army, Cervoni helped rally the troops at the Battle of Lodi. Later, he fought at the Siege of Mantua and the battles of Lonato, Castiglione, Arcola, and Rivoli.