 On 7 September, Augereau's 8,200 soldiers overwhelmed the 2,800 to 4,000 Austrians of Wurmser's rear guard at Primolano (6 km north of Cismon del Grappa), capturing 1,500 men and their commander "Oberstleutnant" Alois von Gavasini.The victorious French then followed the valley as it turned south toward Bassano.Surprised by the speed of the French advance, Wurmser was only able to gather up 11,000 men before the collision took place.