Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-06-11

THE Two BATTLES AT MoSrEBELLo "A brief
teegraphic despatsh from Cape Race describes an
engagement the 2lst Of May be ween the Fran. o.
Sardinisn Army and the AustriaEs ut Montebello, a
small town in Piedmont about tWeL ty-6ve miles
Northeast from Ale.s lndria, and not far from he
boundary line between Sardinia and LOmbardg. Tae
narrative furnished is by means sasfsct9ry; the
French and Austrian reports conflict TO the cause
and nature OF the encounter and the number Of
troops engaged; but there is reason TO doubtthat
a preliminary battle has been fought which has re
suited in the defeat Of hs Austrians and their re-
1000 French aided by regiment Of Sardinian
cavalry after conflict Of about four hours, beat
back 900 Austrisns, of whom they slew from
1000 to 1900 and took 200 prisoners. How far
these details and figures viii be verified by future
bulletins remains 10 be SEEM but at present. there
is ND reason TO doubt that the Allies have gained
the first and most substantial victory the ad-
Saneed guard of the Austrians.
Just ff'y nine years age this month, that is, on
the 8 h Of June, 1900, a battle was fought the
same field between nine thousand French, under
the command Of General Launes, thenceforWsrd the
Duke of Mcn,ebello, and fifteen thousand chosen
troops Of the Austrians; theis right as Alison tells
US, resting on tho heights which formed the roots
of the Apprentices; their left exendingntO the plain,
where their splendid cavalry could act with effect.
The French infantry advanced with great III ~,
under shower Of gTspeshot and musketTy, to storm
Revetta; but, there sai by six fresh regiments,
were driven back with great slaughter into t1e
the plain where, after terrific cor tiic fresh di-
vision under Victor arrived, which enabled the
French to rally their forces and prepare fresh at
tack. The troops both sides fought with the ut
most courage and pertnacity; the Austrans to gain
time fJr the concentration of their forces the Re
publicans, to avoid being driven back, With ruinous
loss, into the Po. After several mutual advantages
and repulses Napoleon arrived with his reserve the
contre aud left Of the Austrans broken throu
and "tbe Imperalists," as the narrative, which We
greatly abridged concludes, retiIed in good order
and with measured steps"
Alison after recounting the fearful losses Of the
! Austrians, who mournsd over some three thousand
killed aud wounded, adds that the moral victory Of
| the French was immense, and cOunterbalancsd all
their losses. The spirit Of the army, weakened BY
previous dsasieTs vas restored; and il is related
that Napoleon, in traversDg the field Of battle late
in the evening" found the troops lying the ground
| and exhaust. u with fatigue. but animated with
their ancient enthusiasm" Such was the first bat
tie of MontsbellO, described by snti-Sapoleon-
ie historian; aud the meagre accounts of the second
engagement in the same field, fought jlst iftY-nine
years afterwards, to Indicate that the French
troops now in Italy have not lost their ancient FIRE
aud impt tuOsity, snd that the Second Napoleon, il
he has the genius AID military skill Of the First
J Emperor, knows how TO make use OF the ln4pira
tion OF his and the prestige Of bis great bat
| tyes.-N 7. Journal Of Commerce, JAHs Z.