Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-03-27

cur his vay, with q handful Ut men,
rhraupR several thousand Preach. aud
snpeared before marshal Seworoff, Coz
vered will, wounds and with glory.
Il was no inconsiderabies yexstion to
thl. unconquered vctsraa, 70, lose,by the
misc onduct of others, an opportunity OF
GROWING bis Iabonrs withsnsy wrea.as,
and Of rescuing Switzerland from the
gasp of France. = ooStenaclous OF 2
soldiers fame to measure back his steps
he resolved TO carry ST. ,Gptfard, anu 10
pass by the vallies of Mutten and Cion-
thai, into the canton Of Glarus, and there
Join Gen. Lincken.
On. the oath of September, the army
hailed before St. Gothard. It's isrnida-
BILE bridge, called lie hont dr. diaale, Is the
terror Of all who cross it, snd was the
particular scene of Bagration's bravery.
Though hardly recovered from his
wounds, he yet ressed forward WIN the
first, to mount this fearful precipice -
On sight of the mountain, all was hope
and Enthusiasm among the troops They
encountered and attacked the encmy,s
ou,-posts abou, a mile from Alrolo =
Gen f,ecourbe made IN obstinate resist
ance. The possession of this adyai'ia-
eeous defile had been one OF his m"st
celebrated achievements; and on the
very spot where his fame rose, he saw II
likely 10 be blasted SuworoH advanced.
He looked around him with steady eye,
and raising his hand solemnly to'heaVen'
exclaimed in the hearing OF his brave
fellows" By the great God OF battle
swear that If do not conquer thefrench
this day, on this spot. for ever after to
bury myself hermit, within the deep
est caverns Of these mountains lhe
Russians infl,med with religious zeal at
these words set up terrible Shout; and
Bagra,ion, knowing that the marshal
would keep his oath, charged with re-
doubled violence upon the enemy. The
bridge was firmly disputed; but at length
he cleared the way for his eager troops,
and they rushed on. Suworof appeared
Ike the god of war himself, animating
his soldiers, & leading them over heaps
OF slain. Two great generals were con-
tending for houors dearer to them than
their lives. But victory declared Tor
Suworeff, and the French abandoning
the ground, made hasty retreat
This grea, object being attained, the
marshal turned us steps towardsGIarus,
hoping, by hi junction with Lincken, to
finish what he had so happily begun
Full Of these designs, he wrote to Kor-
.skofi, and tire generals under his COM
maDd
"You will answer with your lives for
every farther s,ep that you retreat. l
am coming to repair your faults"
Whatever surprise Suworof had felt
on learning tho disasters Ofthe allies, no
less was experienced by Morea,l, when
he was informed Of the rapio and victo-
rious march of the Russian General.
Prince Bfgration. as usual, commanded
the advanced guard. General Auffem.
berg led small column. which was the
FIRST 10 reach Clouthaisrsee, where the
French lad Obtained a strong position.
Auffenbe,g having BEEN mislniormed
OIL this head, was usrounded, and sum
moned 20 surrender So lar from ac-
ccding to their demand, he defended
himself with dn.rah.e resolution, and
gave time 10 Bagration to come to bls |
assistance. The French were then at
tackled in their turn with fixed bayo.ets.
heir ranks broken, and put to the rout |
a strong lire OF the enemy yet retained
some advantageous heights /; and though |
our gallant prince was again wounded
he saw that i, could be difficult for the
remainder Of the allied army, which had
now arrived, to march in safety under !
their hce; and therefore. during the |
night, he made sudden and desperate
attack uprD them; drove tnem from
their positions; seized thcir cannon
and pursued them to the enyirOns q
NaefcIs. Yhis exploit gave the Rus
sui2ns entFe POSSESSION oftbe road from .
Sotweiiz to G.arls.
Suwo,"f was prosecuting his vietn'i-
CHs march. when ne vas contou3ded y
tie arrival of orders from Saint Peters
burgh, that he and the army under hss
commaRd SHOULD Immediately return
home. 1t is not necessary to enter hero
into the detail Of the foll;es which I'M
PEELED the emperor Paul to this absurd
m.aSus. the retreat Of the Russians
alarmed Europe and exposed TO view
which had long been sn.ici
pated By the best informed politicians
Bagra.ion and hi. veteran friend now
5ste long, perhaps an eternal adieu to
switzerland. The prince beheld the
glorious issue cf their Alpine career.
nus prema'uroiy cut of with The deep
ST :egret, and the Nos, painful refec-
ions. He looked at Suworoff, and
strange forebcding seemed to announce
meisnehbi termination of 50 bright