Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-06-18
The First Battle on the Plains of Italy.

The steamship City of Washington, of
Cape Race, has sent us The news of the
first battle between ;he French and Aus
nians in Italy. This fight puts an end
to the lingering hopes entertained by not
few persons that rupture between France
and Austria would yet be in some way
peacefully arranged. We have the French,
Austrian, and Sardinian reports Of the
conflict, so that there can be no doubt OF
lis occurrence. The accounts do not give
full statement as 10 the number engaged
on each sIde-ihe French representing
the Auslrans as being fifteen thousand
strong, while on their side only six or
seven thousand men, with regiment Of
Sandman cavalry, were engaged. From
the Austrian side il is merely stated that
General Stadion pushed forward strong
force for reconnaissance, and, alter a
hot fight, retreated in good order behind
the 20. They do not give their loss but
the French represent the AusrIans as
having lost from fifteen hundred 10 two
Thousand men, and their own loss at six or
seven hundred, many Of whom were offi
GERS. Two hundred Austrian prisoners
are reported, who were sent TO Aessan-
dria, and some of them had already arrlv-
ed at Marseilles.
Another affair of smaller moment had
taken place on the far lett Of the Allied
forces, where General Chialdini had fore
ed the passage of the Sesia; and GaribaIdi,
who was operating with him, had enter
ed Gravellona, with the intention of car
rving out revolutionary movements in
! Lombardy.
In this first fight we have some guage
of the stamina Of the respective combat
lants. On each side they were led by ex-
perienced officers Of high standing. Gen.
eral Sladion is a well-known Austrian Of
fcer of merit, as is indicated by his hav-
ing been placed in command of the aG.
vance guard of the Army. General fo-
rev, who commanded the French, obtain.
ed high reputation in the Crmea. The
Auslrians made the first attack, and were
driven back only after hot fight OF four
hours, and were not pursued. Consider
ing lhe number Of troops engaged, the
loss on both sides is large, and indicates
the tenacily of both parties in the sUug-
gle.
There is another incident in the re-.
ports that is worthy Of notice, as II lndl-
Gates the effect of the presence OF the En-
peror on the French troops. The num-
ber of officers killed is reported large
Although Louis Nspolean was not on ihe
battle. field, he was al Alessandria, in the
immediate vicinity, and besides being IN
spired by feeling of emulation of the old
! Napoleonic glories, each one felt that he
/ was fighting under the immediate eye
of the Emperor. With them it was glo-
! ry or the grave. The fountain Of all hon
or was al hand TO witness their herolsm,
, or TO lave and sooihe their wounds.
! When Francis Joseph reaches his camp
= for which at the latest accounts he was
preparing to leave VIENNA similar
ins pirtiug effect will no doubt be felt
in the Austrian army, and Europe will
, " itness one of the fercest struggles
for one of the fairest portions of the earth,
That history has ever recorded. The
opening conflict was sanguinary, but
who can foresee what rivers of blood will
vet flow from the fountain now opened
at Monlabelo. The latest account from
Naples, reports the King dead, of long
standing disease.-N. 7. Herald.