The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-10-04

VIEWS OF VICTORY.


itte vanity in recurring to spccuIaons in the
Aurora of the 22d of August furnishing tolcra-
bly, correct anticipation OF the battles of the 5th and
9th Joy. For it appears by the accounts now recciv
ed that TIE dispositions and display OF force on the
Danube, above Vienna, took place, and that similar
demonstrations were carrying on at the same time
below, near Prcsburg. That as we suggested, move
ments were made by Lcfebvre and Bcrnadotte, as
high up as Lintz and that every thing the part
of the French, indicated design attack the arch
duke on that side. We thus particular in re-
curing to own anticipaons, because have for
several years. been equally successful in anticipating
similar events While adverse prints have been as
eager to conceal the truth when it arrives, and as
backward rs malgnity and envy usually are in adj
uniting any merit in Successful competitor for pub
lick confidence.
The fate of Austria, it was long forcscen, would
determine the fate Of continental Europe. The bat
ties on the Danube, consequently have excited the
curiosity and the anxiety Of all men, whatever their
political feelings may be- Il is much to be regretted
that passions so little avang, which can tend only to
SggTayate by after discovery, the imperfect and NOR
tEyng qualification Of temporary concealment should
induce the mutilahon OF the official accounts which
ase published Of the great transactions the
of war. The publication of the great result, Is itself
Sufficient TO fix the political and moral effects Of bat
ties the suppression Of details, betrays therefore
piuful lit icness.-Beside there is publick utility
an aflording to the nation at period when it behoves
us 10 be prepared for defence, every species of mi
tary knowledge the study of the perspicuous and
interesting bulletins of the armies forms the mind ts
general ideas on the subject,snd prepares it for
particular thinking it stimulates to useful enquiries,
and very often leads to studies which form the most
invaluable characters and members of society For
besides the study OF the art of war, il leads to
the study OF geography, of the most interesting
and useful OF requirements to youth an acquirment
very little attended to in scminares Of education
although from the commercial character of the coun
try no people ought to pay more regard to geogra-
phys in all its Incidents than the people Of America.
The suppression OF the topographicrl part OF the
bulletins is at once fagrsht evidence Of the want
oil judgment Of the federal editors, and Of their
rifce of the duty Of correct and faithful journalists
TO futile and little passions Had We the accounts OF
the military dispositions of the armies, we would
with judicous examination of correct maps discern
the talents displayed either side we could APP
precate the principles Of defence and Of attack, the
degree and the character of the assault and the resis-
tarce ) what manG,lvres were Performed, and what
was their intention, their filere success and the
causes OF it. But without these facts, left to
form from the ground and the events, the probable
course of the operations which not always ike
ly to answer to the actual details because single
incident of cnterprze gallant;y may overcome the
disadvantages OF ground, and render that discon-
cert OF novement, which might have been, upon
mere typographical rules, most wise and judcious
In our anticpations some time ago, we fixed upon
the streams cfthc Rasbach position highly ffvour
abefor defence.
The whole course Of the little river or stream Of
Nusbsch IRON its source in the elevated grounds near
Fhrensprunn, - miles north of VeNa, to its juno
ton with the Danube, about thirty E. of Vienna.
is about forty-sx miles in all ito meanderings, which
arc generally in "a direction little east Of south.
Three other smaller rivers run from nearly the Same
source, and after course OF twenty to thirty miles,
each fall into the Morave, of the Rusbsch The
river Of Prawarh, at fourteen,the Marchegg twenty,
and Miselpatch thirty miles from the mouth Of the
Rusbach. These streams naturally find their course
broken snd more elevated as you proceed east and
north from Vienna, Looking N. T.. from Vienna, the
country presents ihat direction, plain called by the
Germans Das Marchfelt, gently rising from the Dam
ube between tweny and thirty miles bnt, about eight
maes north of vicrnaSabout Langen Entersdorff and
Korn Newburg, ridge of elevated ground, partly
cultivated and partly woody, stretches about six
teen miles, and turns boldly of the northward snd
atthe foot of these hills flow the little streams that
give their waters 10 the Rushach which crosses the
champaignc at Walkersdorff leaving that place on
rs right bank, and passing by Engerstor is turned
abruptly by the foot Of group of hills at Pocksthyss
and Scbenkirchen to the south west, and after FIVE
miles meandcrs by Dcutch Wagram, also on it's right
bank here 1t takcsa bolder curve, and approaching
within mile ofAtterka, bends its circuit to Mar.
gr.tn Nesidels whchis about five miles east Of the
celebrated town Of Esling. The course the Rus.
bach, thence, is generally south east driving grad
ually nearer 10 the Danube land ease of Entzcrs-
dor, opposite theisland of Lobau, il only six milos
from the Danube. at fourteen miles little east of
south OF Dcutch Wagram, another smaller town Of
the name OF .Wagrsm, called Krabitsch Wagram,
stands on the same river Rasbach, directly s miles
cast OF Nschampnd, on the right side Of the Dan
ube, the place at which the main body of the French
army Is said TO have deboQchcd on the morning Of
the fifth July.
The country east Of the nusbach at this place Is
marshy and broken very difficult and apparently
not calculated for military manruvre not at all for
cavalry; but farther north from TO 10 miles, the
ground becomes level and firm, the country spen ;
from Deutsch Wsgfams close to the river NIorave
which is about 90 miles cast.
The line Of the river Rusbach was tho obvious line
Of defence, and lis snuosAics presented at every
point positions Which might cover the whole OF the
Austrian line. s. p 81 ~
The beautiful champagne Of the lfarchicld, ex.