Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-24
THE WAR IN EUROPE.
SUMMARY OF THE NEWS.

may he summed up by saying that the pre-
vious reports of the victory Of the allies at
Magenta are fully confirmed, that they are
in possession of Milan, have succeeded i'll
another brilliant engagement at Marignano
Tor Melegnano,) that the Austrans have re-
treated beyond the AIDA, possibly in full
flight towards their Qualifications at PescEie-
IA and Mantua, and that their victorious enc
mics are apparently in full possession of
the line extending southwardly from Como
through Pavia and Piacenza, recently occu-
pied by the Austrian army. The New York
Journal of Commerce thus recapitulates what
has been done since the war opened:
The march of events in Northern Italy
during the last few weeks has been indeed
swift and momentous. The Austrians cros-
sed the Ticino and entered Sardinia On the
18th Of April, small portion Of the French
having five days previously landed at Genoa.
On the 18th of May, Louis Napoleon disem-
barked at the same port; on the 2lst the al
lies gained the battle of Montebello; on the
10Th crossed the Pc at Casale, and Oh the I'd
of June, the Ticino at Turbigo; won on the
18th the decisive victory at Magenta, and on
9Th entered Milan as conquerors. thus lite
rally fulfilling the prophesy Of the Emperor
when he entered Italy, that within month
be would date his dispatches from the CAPT
tai of Lombardy.
Brilliant and decisive as are these results,
the allies have as yet only passed the b0un-
daries of Lombardy. and are separated from
the Adriatic by innumerable dangers and
obstacles, not the least of which are the
massive Notifications on the Mincio and the
Adige. The losses on both sides are fearful.
1t is. perhaps, low estimate to say that
within the last month %, 600 troops have
fallen; and before the rival States settle their
disputes, thousands more will join that vast
army of Italy, which will never leave Italy.
The name of Margnano has before occur
red in Italian wars. On September Ii, A.
d., 1915, Marignano was the scene of q
bloody battle between the Swiss and the
Duke of Milan on the one side, and the
French, under Francis the First, on the 9TH
er, and in which more than 10000 men
were slain. The Swiss lost their bravest
troops ON that terrible day and were forced
to retreat and the battle got the name of
"La BGtaiHe des Gednts." Another battle
of giants has evidently now been fought
there and another French Emperor is the
victor"
MAGENTA, June 7.-Yesterday evening |
succeeded in getting here, to inspect the field
of the glorious battle fought on Saturday
last. NV pen ia not adequate to describe
the heartrending 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, vine
yards devastated, houses plundered-such ls
the deplorable sight which has met my eyes
since my arrival in this town. Town, how
ever, Magenta is no more. The small inn
whence am now writing these lines bears
marks of the tremendous struggle. for it was
thrice taken and retaken during the action.
Not piece of furniture is to be found, not
even chair to sit upon.
The battle Of Magenta was not begun by
our troops, but by the Austrians who. al
though in full retreat toward Pavia, were
ordered to change their front and attack our
advanced guard which had crossed the Ticl-
no at Bufalora. One battalion OF the
Zouaves and two companies OF the same re.
giment together with two regiments of
Grenadiers, all belonging to the Imperial
Guard, were suddenly attacked by 25,oOO
Austrians under the order of General I"bel.
Our gallant allies had three batteries with
them, but only two field pieces were brought
to play upon the advancing columns OF the
enemy. You must not forget that the coun-
try which lies between this village and Alb
biate Grasso is intersected by numberless
canals which supply the water to the rice
fields of the district. All these fields had
been, of course, inundated for agricultural
purposes, 30 the guns Of our advanced guard
could not be placed except on the main road,
which, by the by. is very marrow, and by
which the Austrians were advancing. The
right wing of the French advanced guard,
thus attacked, was formed by the above
mentioned troops. Five other companies OF
Zouaves of the Imperial Guard were march
ing OH the left. :.
This heroic column, which gallantly dis
puted the advance of ZobePs corps d'armee
for five long hours, scarcely numbered 1000
men. The rolling of musketry. the pound
ing of field guns, the crash of STEEL have
been told by an actor of the bloody drama -
were deafening. The Austrians advanced,
halted, advanced again, received and re-
turned close and deadly fire; hut the bayo-
net is the queen of weapons-Magenta pro-
we'd it, The brave band of our allies were
vainly clinging to their guns. After two
hours of fearful struggle, three of them
were captured by the enemy. 1t was then
that brave, kind-hearted Gen. Clerc fell dead
from his horse. The colonel of the first
Zouaves soon followed. A minute later the
lieutenant-colonel and twelve officers OF the
same regiment were no more. The batta,
lion-if you can designate 10y such word
the 800 left-was now fighting for life; 1t
was surrounded by division of the enemy
there was no help visible. Blu. lies
Zouaves sout les Zouaves," said my lnior-
mant, who has the honor to belong to this
famous corps The five companies on the
left, seeing the peril Of their comrades, rush
ed with such impetuosity against the enc
my's division, that the 300 men were lett
alone, and all the force Of Croutians and Boz
hemians was brought to bear against the
new corners.
This last hand-to-hand fight lasted two
hours. The disproportion of numbers was
however, too great-the French were ex-
hausted with fghting--but at last came the
helm. About II o'clock the reinforcements
appeared on their left--a joyful sight to our
struggling regiments. The three field guns
already captured by the enemy were soon re-
conquered at the point of the bayonet 10
bells corps d'armee was easily routed by the
imperial legions, and obliged to retire: The