The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-15
THE BATTLE OF MARENGO.
BR REV. J. T. HEADLEl

/ had been four days on the way to Milan
in order to visit the battle field Of Marengo
which is half days journey out Of the way
was struck with the care Of The road owe
the Apprentices. Ii is not only smooth anC
in excellent order, but men are stationed a
certain Intervals during the summer months
| to wet it once day, as we do in Broadwa,
| 10 keep the dust down. We should regart
this at home as an entire waste OF labor.
We did not arrive al Marenso in time it
visit the field that evening, SO passed on {,
A Q sindria. where we stopped over night
This is the strongest fortified inland place
have seen. Well manned and provisioncd, i
would be impossible to takeiI. 1t is Il Singh
lar city, and soldiers seem to form the malur
come in at morning TO sell fruit arc a squallid
looking race.
The field of Marengo, is notlike most oihel
modern battle grounds; overrun with guides
who tell some truth and a good deal Of fable.
IL is left undisturbed. and not guide can be
found. Few visit it, and found a written
description had in my pocket indispensable
This is one Of those battles where Bonaparte
escaped, as by n miracle. utter defeat. The
Auslrians were full $4,000 strong, while Ma
poleon could muster little more than half that
number. Napoleon formed three lines; one
10 advance of Marenso at Padre Buona; one
at Marengo and one behind this little hamlet
" hch indeed consist of scarcely more than
half dozen houses. The first line was un-
der Gardonne, the second under Victor, and
the third by Napoleon in person. 1t is a
broad PLAIN, with nothing to intercept the
charge of cavalry for miles, besides scatter
ing trees aud butts; with the exception of a
narrow but deep stream, with a miry bottom
that passed directly in front Of Marengo.-
Here Victor stoud. The Austrian heavy in
fantry formed in The open field, and came
down on GsrdonDe, driving back on Victor,
posted on the other side Of the ravine. The
haiuieurs of both the armies were ranged on
opposite sides Of this stream, and there. with
the muzzes Of their pieces almost touching.
stood and fired in each otl er's faces and DO
SONS for two hours.
1t did not seem possible, as stood By that
stream so narrow that could almost leap "a
cross it, that two armies could stand .or that
length Of time. so close TO each other. and
steadily fire at each other. They were but n
few rods apart and the muskeTy swept
down whole ranks of living men. At length
the indomitable Victor was compelled to re-
tire before such superior force, and fell back
on Lannes. who was advancing to meet
him.
The two formed second line Of defence.
but the furious charge of the Austrians drove
them back. while General Elsntz, having
marched around attacked him on the right
flank. and began to pour squadron after
SQUADRON Of his SPLENDID cavalry on the re-
columns of Lanues. But the stern
hero Immediately formed his troops en- ech-
alon, and retired without confusion. But The
tre,rearing became general. and had Tho Aus
trian commander, Melas, pushed the battle
here; nothing short ola miracle could have
saved Bonaparts from utter ruin. But he
thought the battle already won. and that II
was now only pursuit, and retired TO the
rear weary and exhausted and no wonder.
he was eighty four years old. But at thai
moment, Desaix appeared on the field. bring
ing up the reserve. Desaix rode up TO Bona
part, and said. i think this must be put down
as battle lost