The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1846-03-28
THE CONQUEST OF AUSTRIA.

The conquest of Austria, by Napolean, con-
stItutes one OF the most wonderful chapters in
the history OF Europe. There are no events Ell
ther IN ancient or modern warfare, more replete
with sublime and awful interest than those which
occurred when this mighty conqueror, heading
ms victorious legions, came laundering down the
valley oil the Danube, driving before him the
two hundred and seventy thousand Austrian
troops, and marking his dreadful path with desc
lation and blood and flame. Horrid war, in all
its horrid annals, can hardly exhibit any scenes
more awlully sublime. Humanity sickens at the
recital OF the conflict, where proud self conf
dence on the one hand, and desperation on the
other, inspired the battle.
Napoleon arrived in person before the walls of
Vienna, Immediately planted his batteries, and
in less than ten hours, three thousand flaming
projecties were thrown into the city. Vienna
contains about two hundred and fifty thousand
inhabitants, enclosed in very narrow space, and
is one of the most densely populated cities in the
world. There was average of forty inhabit-
ants TO each house. One house was occupied by
four hundred tenants, and yielded an annual rent
al OF thirty thousand dollars. Such was the CITY
before which Napoleon planted his terrible bat
teries, and upon which, for ten hours, he ralned
down shower of bomb shells at the rate OF five
minute. 1t is not easy to imagine, and it is i'm
possible to describe, the terrors of this night
Amid the rush and the uproar of contending ar
mics, there an incessant explosion Of artillery
keeping up one continuous roar, louder than
heavens loudest thunders. The midnight sky
was streaked with the fiery glare of bomb Shells
falling upon every part of the city, breaking
through the roofs of the houses, exploding at
the fireside, where terrified mothers and children
were gathered together, and even in the very
cradle OF the infant and burying mangled fami-
lies in the ruins of their own dwellings. Con-
hagrations were bursting forth in every quarter
Dismay and death were everywhere The shouts
OF the combatants, the shrieks of the terrified
the groans of the dying, the mangled corpses
strewed over the streets and through the dwell
lings, the explosions of artillery, the glare of
bombs and red-hot balls, and the wasting confa-
tons, cOnspired to create a scene which has had
but few parallels, even in this waring world.
The young Princess Maria Louisa, the subse-
quent bride of Napoleon, was at that time sick in
the imperial palace, and incapable of being remov
ed to place of safety. The palace was directly
opposite the French batteries. &c 1t was saws
Allison, 8" by the thunders of artillery, and the
flaming light of bombs across the sky that Napo
Icons first addresses to the Archduchess Maria
Louisa were made" Such were the character
istic billet dOur with which the conqueror of Eu
rope wooed his BRIDE. Napoleon being informed
OF the dangerous situation of the noble captive
ordered the direction of the pieces to be chang
ed. Thus, while destruction and death were
rained down upon every other part of the city,
the future Empress Of France reposed upon her
sick bed, secure and unframed. Napoleon soon
silenced all opposition, and taking possession.
with his victorious troops, of the riddled and
blazing city, sought repose from his own fatigue,
In the magnificent chambers of the Austrian
The emperor of Austria and his spouse had found
safety by flight into the wilds of Hungary.