<P> The Austrians sent yet another army under József Alvinczi against Bonaparte in November . Again the Austrians divided their effort, sending Davidovich's corps from the north while Alvinczi's main body attacked from the east . At first they proved victorious over the French at Bassano, Calliano, and Caldiero . But Bonaparte ultimately defeated Alvinczi in the Battle of Arcole southeast of Verona . The French then turned on Davidovich in great strength and chased him into the Tyrol . Wurmser's only sortie was late and ineffectual . </P> <P> The rebellion in the Vendée was also finally crushed in 1796 by Hoche, but Hoche's attempt to land a large invasion force in Ireland was unsuccessful . </P> <P> On 14 February, British admiral Jervis met and defeated a Spanish fleet off Portugal at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent . This prevented the Spanish fleet from rendezvousing with the French, removing a threat of invasion to Britain . However, the British fleet was weakened over the rest of the year by the Spithead and Nore mutinies, which kept many ships in port through the summer . </P> <P> On 22 February French invasion force consisting of 1,400 troops from the La Legion Noire (The Black Legion) under the command of Irish American Colonel William Tate landed near Fishguard (Wales). They were met by a quickly assembled group of around 500 British reservists, militia and sailors under the command of John Campbell, 1st Baron Cawdor . After brief clashes with the local civilian population and Lord Cawdor's forces on 23 February, Tate was forced into an unconditional surrender by 24 February . </P>

When did the french and british decide that war was inevitable