Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-09
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
"A GALLANT EXPLOIT.

Napoleon's famous expedition into Italy was
LAID out with reference to the actual existence OF
a communication between France and Lumbardy,
by the Simpion, and in May, 1900, Gen. Bethen
court set out, at the head Of eighteen hundred
men, and eight pieces Of cannon, TO seek new
route over the Alps. Tie adventures Of this fur
lorn hope Of the Sinplon are detailed by Disjon-
vii, second in command of the expedition. in a
despatch to Berthier, and never was a story more
French or more interesting. At one place in he
midst Of the mountains. they found that the rude
bridge over which they had to pass had been
swept away by an avalanche. The chasm was
sixty feet broad, with perpendicular sides, and
torrent roaring at the bottom; but General Be
thencourt only remarked to the men that they
we're ordered to cross, and cross they must
A volunteer speedily presented himself, sho.
ciamber,ng to the bottom OF the precipice, eyed
deliberately the gloomy gulf before him. ln vain
g. the angry spirit OF the waters shfleked," Tor
the veteran-a mountaineer, perhaps, himself
saw that tire foundations Of the BRIDGE which were
nothing more than holes in this bed OF the torrent
10 receive the extremi,es of the poles, which
had Imported transverse pole above, were still
lett, aud not many feet under the surface. He
called to his companions to fasten the end Of
cord to the precpce above, aud fling down the
rest Of the coil to him. With this burden on
his shoulders, he then stepped boldly, but eau
tous'y, into the water, fixing his legs 10 the foun
daton holes If the bridge. As he sunk deeper
and deeper in his progress through the roaring
stream, beading up against the current, and
seeming to grspple with it as human enemy. It
may be imagined that the spectacle was viewed
with intense interest BY his cOprades above
Sometimes the holes were far apart. aud stri.
dag from one to the other, II seemed a miracle
that be Sas moi swept away; sometimes they
were too shallow I'D afford sufficient purchase,
and, a. he stood swaying and lettering for mo-
ment, smothered cry burst from the hearts Of
the spectators, converted into shout OF triumph
a.d aa,,laseo----. ----ii--i--~-.n,,n-f 10 I".--1
another step, plunged his body into DEEPER
cresice, and remained steady. Sometimes the
holes were too deep, still greater danger; aud
once or twice there was nothing visible Of the
adventurer above the surface but his arms aud
head, his wild eyes glaring like those OF water
demon amidst the spray, aud his teeth seen hrm'
" clenched through the dripping and disorder
|iy mustachio. The wind. IN the mean time. IN.
creased every moment, az It swept, moaning
through the cavern; whenever II struck the wa
ter. the black water rose with burst and shrek.
| The spirit If human daring at last conquefed'
and the soldier stood painting on the opposite pre-
cjpice. What was gained by the exploit! Inc
rome stretched across the Chasm, and fastened
firmly on either side, was as good as Water
loo bridge to the gallant Frenchmen; Geii. b..
himself was the first TO follow the volunteer
| and after him 1000 men, knapsacked, armed aud
ACQUIRED, swung themselves, one by one, across
the abyss, slender cord, their only support, and
an alpine torrent their only footing. The terror
of the Austrian post may be conceived, when
they saw thousand men rushing from the Alps
by passages which nature herself had inrtlneo
with seemingly inaccessible ramparts! Inc "a
mons battle Of Marengo took place immediately
4 after: anu the construction of the military road
| Of the Simp!on shortened the distance from Paris
to Milan by nearly fifty leagues.
(Hsatfs Picturesque AnnuaL