The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-06-14


TURn, Nay 81, 1855. -slnce Thursday nigh
y had been rumorcd In our camp that the En-
peror Of Austria had arrived At Pavia, In con,
pany With tho Field Marshal Hess Our infor.
mants, Who had come from Angina to the head
Qusrters Of Masshal Bara quay d'liilliers through
the bushy paths Of the Cssatisma country, ha(
also reported that great deal OF warlike bnstl.
4 and marching had been noticed in the Austrian
camp, near the bridge Of La Hella.
The telegraph has informed you that or
Thursday an Austrian corps coming from Ssra-
della attacked the position Of Casteggio, chiefly
I defended BY the people OF that place. Alter 4
brilliant staud made BY Pledmontese cavalry, in
which Captain Piola was lightly wounded, the
Austrians we're obliged TO retire. As soon Al
Marshal paraguay d'Hilliers got wind Of the
fact that the AustriAns were plotting mischief
| for next day, he gave his orders to Gen. Forcy
| to be on his guard with his division. This dis
| tinguished officer moved his forces, therefore,
| in the direction Of Montebelo, a. it was thought
| that, after the retreat oil Thursday, the enemy
| would perhaps again attack the advanced guard
| Of our army.
At II o'clock yesterday $4,000 Austrisns, IN.
der the orders Of General Zobel, we're seen TO
| move towards the Pedmontese position Of Mon
tebeilo, which was occupied by 800 Sandman
horsemen supported by two batteries. The
Austrians we're marching in echelons, their right
wing bent In the direction Of BranduzzO, their
left flank, supported BY large artillery, on
Casona, whilst their columns Of attack OF the
centre advanced BY Pszale, towards our lines
of MontebellO.
As soon as General Forey was reused BY
roll after roll Of musketry on the left, and by
the sharp report of Austrian and Piedmontese
guns, he marched with the second brigade OF
| u Nswsas sr -
support the Piedmontese cavalry, which by
this time had already advanced to meet the
enemy.
The battle Of Montebeo scarcely admits Of
description. It was series of dreadful deeds
OF daring hand to hand fights, Of sanguinary
encounters, OF desperate charges and assaults.
The shells and bullets Of the Austrians burst
50 thickly among our troops, that our centre,
already engaged, was obliged to fall back on
the right OF our lines, retiring from Montebelle,
protected BY ravine filed with brushwood,
which descended towards the main road of
Veghera.
As General Beuret led on his men to support
our centre, IT was observed that body OF the
enemy had gained the top Of billy ground
behind the French division on our right. A
deadly volley was poured into them, and, pro-
tected by the fire, both Piedmontese and French
the enemy. The effect OF the new French guns,
carrying their bullets to distance Of more than
two English miles was SO great that the centre
OF the Austrians Was soon obliged TO fall back
upon his reserve, and Montebello was again oc-
cuped BY oar men. BY this time, the third
and fourth brigades Of Gen. Foreys division had
reached the scene Of action. This distinguished
officer had left in support OF small band OF the
national guard-who, by the bye, fought brave.
iy-his first brigade, sending an orderly officer
OF bis staff to Marshal paraguay dHilliers, ask
ing support if need be.
Having thus given his orders, he came on |
with bis Zouaves at the pas de charge. One ba-
TALON OF Chasseurs dOrleans rushed by, the |
/" light of battle on their faces" 1t was accom-
panied by two battalions OF the line command |
ed by Duchef and Lacrcvelle The shock was |
terrible; Lacrevelle fell dead from his horse,
Major Ducheff fell dead litter him our men still |
advanced Ia bayonette. An Austrian Colonel |
and 200 Croats were made prisoners. Assaed /
IN front by the French, broken by the mpetu-
osity OF the charge Of the Sandman Monferrato |
light. horsemen, led by the brave Col. Morelli |
attacked on the right by the Second brigade,
and by our artillery all along the line, the Aus
TRANS began to retire after struggle OF six I
hours At O'Clock, they were driven pell /
nell down the hills towards Stradella on one
side, and towards Casatisma on the other, leav-
ing mounds Of dead behind them.
We had won the day. The Austrians were
therefore unable to force our positions, though
they were $4,000 strong, with powerful ar
liilery, thus outnumbering us by 5000 men,
Forey's division numbered scarcely 5000 fight
ng men, and was supported by 800 Sandman
horses. You must not forget that this brave
cavalry, led by young Colonel De Sonnez, sus-
aimed for an hour the first shock of the enemy,
hus giving time to the French to come 10.