Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-06-28
The War in Italy.


would have very little interesting matter at this
time to hash up for their readers. We have al
ready given the leading facts of the recent pat
tie at Magenta, but we find in the long and de-
tailed narratives which fill the broadsides OF our
city exchanges, some items of general interest III
reference to that great contest. Our readers,
we presume, care more for the results tnan 'ne
preliminary movements of the two armies, a'iu
hence we shall not Trouble them with tedious
account of the man@uyering on ooln SUES, UT
even the details of the fight, which we DO not
ourselves clearly understand.
When the Austrians began the war so Vigor-
ously by invading Sardinia, it vas generally
supposed they had some plan OF operations, ana
intended to strike decisive blow before the
French forces could arrive. But they have on
" acted the part of their ancient antagonist, the
King of France, who marched up the hull anu
then marched down again" As soon as LOUIS
NAPOLEON appeared in the field they commenced
retreating, and after two or three unlmportan'
engagements, re-crossed the river Ilclno early
in this month. On Saturday. and Sunday, the
4th and 9th inst. the battle OF Magenta LOOK
Mace or rather several battles between different
divisions of the two armies, although the maj
struggle was won by the French Gen MoMahon
IN the town. Magenta is town OF 5000 lnhao'
itants. situated in Lombardy, about two miles
from the Ticino and fourteen miles from Miiap.
It would seem that the Austrians were rather
taken by surprise, as, from the movements OF the
Allies, they were not led to anticipate a oattie
at that time and place. Their force IS variously
estimated at from 10000 to 100000; and the
Allies are conceded to have had 10000, al
though all of this large body of men was not &C.
tually engaged. Baron Hess, considered the
best General in the Austrian army, commanded
on that side, and the allied forces acted under
the direction of the Emperor of France. 1t Is
seldom, says the London Times, that an Empe-
TOR above fifty ventures to assume the command
of an army it is rsrer still to find such man
who, in nine days, could march from Alessan-
dria, cross great river in the face OF 100000
men, defeating them SO thoroughly as to compel
them, it may almost be said, TO eyacuate Lom-
hardy. Louis Napoleon has undoubtedly ezhlb'
tied the talents of great commander. a
French account says;
Sat Magenta the combat was terrible. The
enemy defended the village most oostlnateiy'-.
Both sides felt that it was the key OF the posi-
ton. Our troops took it house by house, csus-
ing immense loss to the Austrians. More than
10000 were put hors du combat, and General
Mcmahon took about 5000 prisoners. But the
Generals corps suffered considerably; 1000 men
were either killed or wounded"
This village was so desperately disputed that
it was taken and re-taken no less than seven
times, reinforcements of the allied troops con-
tinually arriving upon the field, and forming at
last continuous line along the Lomoardy banks
of the Ticino. A correspondent of the London
News, writing from Magenta on the 9TH, says:
yesterday evening" not without great dlth-
Guilty, succeeded in getting here, to inspect the
field of the glorious battle fought on Saturday
last. My pen is not adequate to describe the
heart.rending scene which surrounds me. Trees
thrown down by the dreadful effect OF artillery
heaps of dead bodies, human limbs scattered
about. carriages broken, farm houses burnt,
crops trampled, VINEYARDS devastated, houses
plundered-such is the deplorable sight which
has met my eyes since my arrival in this town.
Town, however, Magenta is no more. The small
inn whence | am now writing these lines bears
marks of the tremendous struggle, for 1t was
thrice taken and retaken during the action
Not piece of furniture is to be found, not even
chair to sit upon"
When we remember that the losses sustained
by Napoleon in some of his great battles are
still matters of dispute, it will not seem strange
that we have yet no reliable information as to
the number of killed and wounded at Magenta.
Each side is disposed to ovsr-estimste the enc
my's losses, and underestimate its own. The
first French Emperor has repeatedly been con
yicted of the most bare faced falsehood in these
particulars. The French, however, claim to
have taken 1000 prisoners at Magenta, anC
represent the number of Austrians killed anc
wounded as 10000. They claim also that $4,000
muskets and 10000 knapsacks were found OIL
the battlefield, and that two standards and foul
cannon were taken. They admit loss Of only
5000 on their side, but other accounts place
at from nine to twelve thousand men, Th'
work was bloody enough, as in the two day
battle, st the lowest estimate, more than twice
the number of the standing army of the United
States, including officers and priyates, were dis
abled and swept from existence! Most OF tn
prisoners taken by the French were Hungarian
and Italians, and it is thought that they ma.
more properly be characterized as deserters.
The Austrians were not routed at Magenta
The London Times says the French accounts ar
honest and candid ia one respect. "There is n
flight and no pursuit mentioned or invented
The enemy fought well, suffered grievous losse
and withdrew. There are none OF those har
rowing scenes which followed suctl battles a
Austerlitz and Waterloo, when hsVock rage
among crowd of helpless fugitiyes, THROWN
away their arms and shouting for quarter to tn
pursuing Frenchman or the vengeful Prussian.'
But the Allies gained decisive victory never
theless. They retained the ground. and obtaine
possession of Milan and nearly the whole
Lombardy. The victory was celebrated in Parl
with the widest rejoiciDgs. At Vienna, on tn
other hand, the public appeared to be stunne
by the news.
When the Austrian General continued his re
treat from Magenta, be neglected to call in
force left at Merignsno, and Gen. paraguay D
Hilliers was sent to dislodge them. battl
was fought which lasted nine hours, and tn
Austrians, who were 10000 strong, final.
driven out with a reported loss of 1900 killet
and wounded, and 1900 prisoners. The Frencl
loss in this affair is said to have been quit