The Battle of Palestro was fought on 30–31 May 1859 between the Austrian Empire and the combined forces of the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont and France.

[1] Ferenc Gyulay, anticipating an advance on Milan, but unsure of the route, had placed his VIII and IX Korps south of the Po river from Pavia to Piacenza.

A defining moment came when the 3rd Zouaves, accompanied by Victor Emmanuel II, crossed the canal, attacking the Austrian left flank, forcing their withdrawal toward Robbio.

The Piedmontese at Cascina San Pietro were also under heavy attack from Austrian troops from Rosasco.

"[2] Emperor Franz Josef and Feldmarschall Heinrich von Heß had arrived from Vienna in time to witness Gyulay's defeat, and the 2nd Army's retreat into Lombardy.