Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-12-23

The eyes OF all Europe were upon the two CON-
batants. 1t was the almost universal senti-
ment, that intoxicated with success, Napoleon
was rushing to irretrievable ruin. But Napo-
leon never allowed enthusiasm to run away
with his Judgment. His plans were deeply laid,
and all the combinations Of chance carefully cal
culated.
The storms of winter were still bowling a.
round the snow-clad SUBMITS of the Alps, and
il was not thought possible that thus early in
the season he would attempt the passage of so
formidable barrier A dreadful tempest of
wind and rain swept earth and sky when Napo-
leon gave the order to march. The troops with
their accustomed ceerity. reached the banks Of
the Piave. The Austrians, astonished at the
sudden apparition of the French in the midst of
the elemental warfare, and unprepared to resist
them hastily retired some forty miles to the east
ern banks of Tagamento. Napoleon closely
folwed the retreating foe. At nine o'clock in
the morning of the 10th of March, the French
army arrived upon the banks of the river. Here
they fonud a wide stream, ripping over grav-
ely bed, with difficulty fordabe. The imperial
troops, in most magnificent array, were drawn
up upon an extended plain on the opposite shore.
Parks Of artillery were arranged to sweep with
grape-shot the whole surface of the water. In
long lines the infantry, with bristling bayonets
had prepared to rain down upon their foes
storm of bullets, presented apparently an invin-
cible front. Upon the two wings of this impo-
sing army vast squadrons of cavalry awaited the
moment, with restless steeds, when they might
charge upon the foe, should he effect land
ing.
The French army had been marching all night
over miry roads. and through mountain deiles.
With the gloom of the night the storm had pass
ed away, and the cloudless sun of warm spring
morning dawned upon the valley as the French
troops arrived upon the banks of the river
Their clothes were torn, and drenched with rain
and soiled with mud. And yet it was an impo-
sing array as forty thousand men, with plumes
and banners and proud steeds, and the music of
a hundred bands, marched down, in that bright
upon the verdant meadows which
skirted the Tagliamento. But it was fearful
barrier which presented itself before them. The
rapid river the vast masses of the enemy in their
strong ntrenchments, the frownng batteries,
loaded to the muzzle with grape-shot, to sweep
the advancing ranks, the well fed warehouses; in
numbers, prancing for the charge, APP
presented an obstacle which no human
energy could surmount.
Napoleon seeing the ample preparation made
to oppose him, ordered his troops to withdraw
beyond the reach of the enemies fire, and to
prepare for breakfast. AS by magic the martial
array was mt once transformed into peaceful
picnic scene. Arms were laid aside. The sol
diers threw themselves upon the green grass,
just sproutng in the valley, beneath the rays of
the sun of early spring. Fires were kindled,
kettles boiled, knapsacks opened, and groups, in
and joviality, gathered around frag-
ments of bread and meat.
The Archduke Charles, seeing that Napoleon
declined the attempt to pass the river until he
had refreshed his exhausted troops, withdrew
his forces also into the rear to their encamp-
ments When all was quiet, and the Austrans
were thrown completely off their guard, sudden
y the trumpets sounded the preconcerted sig
nal. The French troops, disciplined to prompt
movements, spraug to their arms, instantly form
ed in battle array, plunged into the stream, and,
before the Austrians had recovered from their
were half across the river This
movement was executed with such inconceiva-
bic rapidity, as to excite the admiration as well
rs the Consideration Of their enemies. With
the precision and beauty of the parade ground,
The several divisions of the army gained the OPP
posite shore. The Austrians rallied as speedi-
" rs possible. But it was too late. A terrible |
OdIlic ellSueu NupOleOH WIS NlclOr db every |
point. The Imperial army, with their ranks sad
y thinned, and leaving the ground CORY with
he blood Of the slain, retreated in confusion TO
lwait the arrival of the reinforcements coming
% their aid Napoleon pressed upon their rear
,very hour attacking them, and not allowing
hem one moment to recover from their panic. |
The Austrian troops, thus suddenly and unex-
oectedly defeated, were thrown into the extreme
If detection. The exultant French, convinced
If the absolute invincibility of their beloved
thief, ambitiously sought out points of peril and
adventures Of desperation, and with shouts of
aughter, and jokes, and making the welkin ring
With songs of liberty, plunged into the densest
masses Of their foes The different divisions of
he army We'd with each other in their endeav-
'r to perform feats of the most romantic valor,
md in the display of the most perfect contempt
If life. In every fortress, at every mountain
,ass, upon every rapid stream, the Austrians
made stand to arrest the march Of the con-
iueror. But with the footsteps of giant, Ma
'oleon crowded upon them, pouring an incess-
mt storm of destruction upon their fugitive
anks. He drove the Austrians to the foot of
he mountains. He pursued them up the steep
clivities. He charged the tempests of wind
nd smothering snow with the sound Of the
rumpet, and his troops exulted in waging war
With combined man and the elements. Soon
10Th pursuers and pursued stood upon the SUM-
nit OF the Carnic Alps. They were in the re-