The Battle of the Bridge of Arcole (Le Bataille du Pont d'Arcole in French), occurred on November 17, 1796. Young Napoleon led his troops across the bridge, and this was depicted in a famous battle scene by Horace Vernet. The battle scene depicts him holding a battered flag valiantly leading his troops across the bridge; however, in reality, a French military officer feared for his leader's health, and pushed him into the river.