Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-06-14
rho Rattle of Montebello.


The first battle in Italy, between the Allies
and the Austriaus on Friday, tina Goth of May,
was fought on nearly the same ground where
Marshal Lannes won his brilliant victory oyer
the Austrians, on the 9th of June, 1900. From
a comparison of the English and French ac-
counts. we conclude that this second battle OF
Monticello was not so decisive victory for the
French as the first dispatches claimed. Inc
new French rifed cannon are admitted on all
sides to have done terrible execution. line
number of the Austrians engaged in the hght Is
put down by some writers as $4,000, and by
others as $4,000; and their loss is estimated as
1900 to 1000 killed and wounded anu Aoo
prisoners. The forces of the Allies are reported
as 5000 French, supported by 900 Sandman
10 valrv and their loss as 600 killed and woun.
ded. Among the killed are Gen. Beuret and
other officers. A French correspondent at Al
essandria, writing ats P. NJ, on Saturday, the
21st, gives US the following particulars OF the
BATTLE
"The population of Alessandria was awakened
this morning by cries OF victory. French BLOOD
has flowed, but our eagles have reappeared 10
all their glory on the plain where they were So
illustrious fifty years ago. Young France Will
have its battle of Monticello.
yesterday, at about one in the afternoon, the
Piedmontese advanced posts, which watch our
lines before Voghera, heard the sound Of cannon
in the direction of the little village Of Qasteggo
and at once informed Gen. Forey. He believing,
from the account given him, that the Austrians
were making simple reconnaissance, advanced
immediately with about 500 men. 1t was soon
perceived that the enemy was advancing l2,0OU
strong including detachment OF cavalry and
two battalions Of artillery. Gen. Forey at onee
ordered the rest Of his division to advance, and
while this movement was being executed the
500 men kept the Austrian army IN check
The conduct of the soldiers at this moment was
truly admirable. For some minutes Vol. Oam-
briel, with scarcely 100 men under him, was
seen commanding o vigorous lire, and taxing an
heroic part in the resistance. AS soon as the
division arrived the engagement became more
general; the artillery could NOT act very rapidly,
owing 70 the bad state of the ground.
"V ni lie however, some guns were playing up
on the main body of the enemy wiz erect. TWO
pieces were Cdrrieu ny Our aIliH0iy iuon w WAY
top of small mound, from which they swept
the plain with great success. Being received
with extraordinary vigor, and closely pressed,
the Austrians retreated, and our troops followed
them as far as Montebello. They drove them
out of that town with vigor and energy. Not
house but was attacked in every street COM
bats were fought; but in no place, and at no mo-
ment, did the numerical superiority OF the enc
my for moment prevail. After the occnpa-
ton of Montebello came that of Casteggio. The
results were the same; and all the more remark.
able that the Austrans were the aggressors, and
vet lost more ground than they would, perhaps,
have lost had they waited an attack. The in
formation circulating this morning is exceed
ingly vague. have heard great deal, but at
the hour at which write we are waiting for
the circumstantal accounts which the Emperor
will have received himself. His Majesty left at
very early hour this morning for the field of
battle.
general Beuret was nearly the last victim, be-
ing killed by q chance ball when the lighting
was over This officer gained his epaulettes in
the Crimea. Several journals have taken him
for Viscount Beuret, another General, buS of the
artillery, and have been giving the neurology OF
the latter. During great part of the time the
opposing forces were firing at each other at
distance of not more than 400 yards.