Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-02-11
MtsreIIamp.
The Siege Of Genoa.
(From Rev. J. T. HEADLEY's sketch of Mar.
shall Massena)

[ANpREA MAssENA was born in the hum.
best rank Of life, and was left an orphan
at a tender age. At seventeen, he enlist
ed in the army, and after fourteen years
hard service, rose to the rank of serieant.
Despairing Of further promotion, he left the
service, married, and turned shop-keeper,
AT the breaking out of the revolution he
again Joined the army. His bravery and
merit won him promotion, and he soon rose
to be General Of division. and afterwards
Field Marshal and Duke of Rivoi. He was
in many OF the most desperate battles of
that eventful period, always leading in pei :
son with the Observation-Disclosures of his own
safety. The siege Of Genoa was one of the
most noted incidents Of his military career,
and is vivid picture Of the horrors of war. /
After Bonaparte's return from Egypt,
be appointed Massena over the army of
Italy, Moreau at the head of 10000 men
was to advance on Swabia, while Napo.
leon himself, at the head of 10000, was
to march over the Alps.
The 10000 soldiers given to Massena
had dwindled down to about 36, 900 fight
ing men, which were required to defend
both Genoa and Nice, though 100 miles
apart Melas, with 100000 soldiers in
good condition, was the enemy he had to
oppose. Leaving $4,000 in Piedmont to
watch the passes Of the Alps, Melas bore
down with 10000 on the gorges of the
Apprentices, for the purpose of cutting the
French in two, and shutting one half I'D
ia Nice, and the other half in Genoa -
This he succeeded in doing; and although
Suchet and Soult fought with unexampled
bravery, the French line was divided, and
Suchet and Massena divided from each
other. The latter was now compelled TO
fall back on Genoa, with only $4,000 men.
On the evening of the 9Th of April, the
Austrian flag was flying on the heights
that overlooked the city; while at the
same time British squadron was seen
slowly moving up the gulf TO shut it in
seaward. Without the speedy appearance
Of a French army over the Alps, the army
of Massenn was evidently doomed one.
He knew that he could hold the place
against all the force that could be brought
against it; but the conveys of provisions
which had been kept back by adverse
winds, were now effectually shut Out by
the English bockading squadron; while
The Austrian army sweeping sn an entire
line round the walls of the city, cut off all
supplies from the country, so that famine
would soon waste his army. But it was
in the midst OF difficulties like this, that
Massena's spirit rose in its strength. He
seemed to multiply with exigencies, and
there commenced with the siege of Genoa
one Of the most heroic struggles witnessed
during the war.
Genoa is defended, by sea and land, both
by nature and art, as | have never seen
any other seaport. The Liguira Gulf
strikes its head deep into the Apprentices,
50 that the ground slopes from the very
verge OF the water up to the mountains.
Two moles running from the opposite
shores, almost cross each other, cutting of |
The extreme point of the gulf for the port
Of the city. Perpendicular walls rise from
The water, forming the basis Of the houses
that line the shore. Around these, can
non are planted, while forts are on every
commanding point above the city. Added |
lot this, double wall surrounds the town,
one six miles in circumference, the other
lhlreen. The outer walls, corresponding
!olhe shape of the hill, ascend il somewhat
- me form OF triangle. Two forts, the
epur and Diamond, stood at the top Of this
triangle, protecting the fortified walls on
either side by their commanding fire.
There we're three other forts on the east
slde Of the city, protecting commanding
emlnences that rose from the river BIZ
sagno. On the west, or towards Nice,
mere we're no forts, and the Poleevera
comes pouring its waters into the gulf with
Oul alfordlng any strong positions.
thus defended, Massena saw the i'm
mense Austrian army slowly contracting
Us INES around the city, like huge ana
eonda tightening its folds about its victim.
Massena Immediately resolved to attempt
wo desperate projects some, to sally out
Ou on the east with his handful of men,
s.o orlse the Auslrians over the Appe-
unes--ihe other, to sally out on the west,
ano endeayor to cutthe Austrian army in
po, and restore his junction with Suchet.
,s.O,'lowlng out his daring plans, he on the
IN o. April took Gen. Miolli's divisions,
enlightened by some of the reserve, and
u'lolng il into two columns, marched forth
y 'her head 10 storm the heights of Monte
nA'l, The Ausirians we're driven from
S sss,y position by the desperate charges of
w french columns, and forced over the
aappenines; and Massena returned at eve.
a'ug' marching before him fifteen hundred
nn,,s . and among others the Baron
Aspres, who had melted the peasants to
revolt The Inhabitants were crazy