The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-05

Important News from EurOpe-The First
Battle ON the Plains OF Italy.
The steamship City Of Washington, off Cape
Race, has sent us the news of the first battle
between the French and Austriaps in Italy. It
occurred on the 21st ultimo, at Monticello, the
scene of one of the hard fought struggles of the
first Napoleon, and where his favorite Marshal,
Lannes, won his title of Duke of Montebello.
This fight puts an end to the lingering hopes
entertained by not few persons that the rup
ture between France and Austria would yet be
in some way peacefully arranged. We have the
French, Austrian and Sandman reports of the
conflict, 60 that there can be no doubt of its oc
currencc. The accounts 10 not give a full state
ment as to the number engaged on each side
the French representing the Austrians as
being fifteen thousand strong, while on their
side only six or seven thousand men, with regi-
ment Of Sandman cavalry, were engaged. From
the Austrian side it is merely stated that General
Stallion pushed forward a strong force for re.
connoissaDce, and, after hot fight, retreated in
good order behind the Pc. They do not give
their loss but the French represent the Austrians
as having loet from fifteen hundred to two thou
sand men, and their own loss at six or seven hun
dred, many Of whom were officers. Two hundred
Austrian prisoners are reported, who were sent
to Alessandra, and some of them had already
arrived at Marseiiles.
Another affair of smaller moment had taken
place on the far left of the Allied forces, where
General ChialdiDi bad forced the passage of the
Sesia and Gariealdi, who was operating with
him, bad entered Gravellons, with the intention
of carrying out revolutionary movements in
Lombardy.
In this first fight we have some gauge of the
stamina of the respective combattauts. On each
side they were led by experienced officers Of
high standing. General Stadion is a we'll
known Austrian officer of merit "a is indi-
Gated also by his having been placed in
command of the advanced guard of the army.
General Forey, who commanded the French,
obtained high reputation in the Crmca.
The Austrians made the first attack, and
we're driven back only after hot fight
of four hours, and were not pursued. Con-
sidering the number of troops engaged, the
loss on both sides is large, and indicates the
tenacity Of both parties ia the struggle.
There is another incident in the reports
that Is worthy of notice, az it indicates
the effect Of the presence of the Emperor
on the French troops. The number of officers
killed is reported to be large Although Louis
Napoleon was not on the battlefield, he was
at Alessandria, in the immediate vicinity,
aud besides being inspired by feeling Of
emulation OF the old Napoleonic glories, each
one felt that be was fighting under the immediate
eyeIof the Emperor. With them it was glory or
the grave. The fountain Of all honor was at hand
to witness their heroism, or to lave and soothe
their weundA When Francis Joseph reaches his
camp-for which, at the latest accounts he was
preparing to leave vienna.-a similar inspiritinx
effect will no doubt be felt in the Austrian army,
and Europe will witness one of the lercest strug.
giles for one of the fsirest portions Of ine earth
that history has ever recorded. The opening
conflict was sanguinary, hut who eau foresee
what rivers Of blood will yet Gov from the foun-
tain now opened at Montebello.