Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-06-14
wounds. Such was the ultimate and most
iilustrious prelude to the battle OF Maren-

go.
All the energies impaired to human be-
ings in most eminent degree, are, in this
heroic engagemeut, conspicuousty exerted,
and wonderfully displayed. The prize
contended for is no less than an empire;
| It's possession hangs on the fate OF the day,
and it is disputed by two gallant chiefs,
each OF whom rises superior to man. a
hoary warrior boldly conceives the design
of forcing his way through an army or
Frenchmen: On that single occasion, ne
hopes to atone for every formey error. On
che other hand, young hero, exul,ing be-
meath aload of glory hitherto undimin'sh-
ed, is rebly and resolutely bent on trans
hitting it entire to future ages. TO the
naughty ruler of Austria, Melas has So
lemnly pledged his word to protect and
save the fairest portion of his domain, his
Italian states. Upon his blazing sword,
Bonaparte has sworn that victory should
not prove treacherous to his army In the
very centre of the most brilliant conquests
of France. The oath was decisive. On
the 18th day OF June, the two armies, ca
ger for battle, stand forth in formidable ar
ray: narrow space now separates them,
anu adds new terrors TO their menaciag at
titade. The tremendous cry which an
nounces and preeedes the havock OF war
has already been heard. Elate in the su.
periority Of their numbers, the. Austrlans
pass the Bormida, on three different bridg.
es, advanse with majestic intrepidity, and
commence the battle OF Marengo. The
front of that terrific army resembied the
crater of avolcano it sent forth an inces-
SAINT and irresistible fire. A hundred pie
ces of heavy ordnance laundering upon the.
centre, the right, and the left of the French
army, moved down heroes in every rank.
Four times, with incredible valor, the
French infantry charges the hostile CO.
lumns; four times it is repulsed. On ei-
Their side, he cavalry, in twelve murder
fol success. Sixty pieces of cannon are
taken and retaken on different points, and
at different intervals. AT length, all the
French battalions are thrown into disorder,
and broken; at this critical juncture, their
! native courage with difficulty supports them.
Overwhelmed by superior numbers, re-
treat becomes unavoidable. Then, indeed,
carnage displays all its horrors. The plain
is strewed with dead and dying, and with
innu-.erable fragments OF shattered arms.
Lacerated, agonizing warriors bleed along
every road, amid iamentable ruins, and
melancholy monuments of devastation.
Invigorated by the smiles of victory, Me.
las resumes his pristine ardor; emulation
beams in his eyes; he triumphs over the
courage Of the Fr.nch. Bunaparte and
Berthier, TO whom the genius OF France
had revealed the secret of her destinies,
calm amid the greatest dangers, and brav-
| Ing them all alike, few to the centre Of
their yielding battalions, rallied their bro
ken and dispersed ranks. strengthened their
columns in more favorable situations. The
consular guards advance in their turn. and,
like a wall If granite, cover the right wing.
Three successive attacks make no impress.
sion on this inexpugnable bulwark. This
legion Of heroes arrests Melas in his career
| of success Already their invincible re.
sistance had given the army time to rally
in the rear of the corps of reserve. De-
| saix, the commander Of that body, Desaix,
the pupil of glory, and the favorite of Mars,
| impatiently waited for the signal to COM
nence an engagement which WAS ultimate.
| ly to decide the fate of the day.
| The front of the array opens on sudden,
and the French artillery immediately si-
/ lenccs the murderous thunder Of the enc.
my. Meles makes new efforts to ensure
his triumph. The presence of the First
Consul, of General Berstner, and the intre-
| pidity of Dessaix, operste'a rapid and won
dertul change. Every Individual acts as if
his were the task to strike the decisive
| blow all perform prodegies. Each bat
tallien is equal TO any army, each soldier
to battalion. Every Auslian is a Me-