The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-16

4
The first battle Is at last fought between
the French and the Austrians in Italy. BY
the steamship City Of Washington we have
telegraptic news from Cape Race that on
the 2lst Of May the FIRST struggle took
place. and was won by NAPoLEos ILL.,, at
Monticello, where the French, under NAPo.
LEON l., defeated the Austrians fifty.nine
years ago, Just after he had crossed the
Alps and, what Is worthy Of remark.
neither Of the Napoleons was ct the. battle,
but in it's vicinity.
That battle was. won by the French on
the 2lst ultimo, there can be no doubt, for
on this point the French, Sandman and
Austrian accounts agree. We have not yet
received the details Of the battle, but the
French represent the Austrians as fifteen
thousand strong where the fight took place.
and the troops Of NAPOLEON as only six or
seven thousand men, with a regiment OF
Sandman cavalry, at the same time stating
that the Austrians lost from 500 to 1000
men, besides 200 prisoners, while the French
lost 600 or 700, many Of whom were off.
GERS. The prisoners were sent to Alessan.
dria, aud some Of them had arrived at
Marseilles. The Aus'rians were the assail-
ants, and the fight occurred in this way:
II appears that General Stadion, an Aus.
trian officer Of distinction, with strong
force, attacked the advanced posts OF Mar.
shall paraguay d'Hilliers, and was repulsed
by General Foreys division after sangui.
nary combat OF four hours. The allies car
ried the heights Of Montebello, but did not
pursue the retreating Austrians. The
Austrian account mitigates the defeat by
stating that General Stadion pushed for
ward by forced march, q reconnoitering
body Of troops towards Ligls and Monte.
bello, but after hot fight with superior
French force, retreated behind the 20 in
perfect order.
Montebello is on the extreme right of the
French lines, close to Parma on the east,
and not far from Lombardy TO the north.
II is nearly in the direction Of Milan from
Alessandria, and Titles less than half way,
the whole distance being only sixty-ive
miles. 1t would seem, therefore, as il the
French were pushing on their right to strike
at the capital Of Lombardy.
While these operations are going forward
on the extreme right, We learn that the left
Of the Sandman army, at the northwest,
under Chialdini, one Of the Italian revolu-
tionary leaders OF 1852, had forced a
passage over the Sesia, near the Austrian
frontier, and put the Austrians TO fight,
while still further west and north, at the
very foot Of the Alps. on the very extreme
of the allied lines, Garibaldi had entered the
town Of Gravelona. on the Piedmontese side
Of the Lake Maggiore, which separates
Piedmont from Lombardy, with 5000 men,
intending TO advance into the Austrian do.
minions in order to kirdlc the fame OF rev.
olution; and from Berne, in Switzerland,
We learn that revolutionary movements are
reported in Lombardy, and no doubt the
Swiss strongly sympathize with the revolu.
tionlsts against their ancient enemy, the
House Of Hapsburgh. Garibaldi was, there
dinian frontiers meet
From this news il would seem that the
Austrians are now nearly driven back over
the Ticino into their own territory, whittier
the French would be sure to follow them.
General Gyuai had removed his head
quarters back to Garlasoo, almost on the
very frontier Of Lombardy, and in straight
line between Alessandria and Milan. Ii il
quite evident that the Austrians are gradu.
ally retreating to their own strongholds
The Austrian General, as il desperate, had
ordered the Sardinians to give up their arms
on pain Of being shot.
Meantime Prince Napoleon was with q
force at Leghorn, in Tuscany. II was RI
mored that six English men.ofwar had en-.
tered the Adriatic, but rs they are neutral
the news does not seem to be OF much i'm
portance, even II true.
BY this arrival the FIRST victory in favor
Of the French is the great and important
' fact, and that against odds, which show
that the Gauls have not degenerated sincs
the time the elder Napoleon led them iron
victory TO victory over the Austrian hosts
IL is curious historical coincidence tina
the battle Of Moatebello WAS the firs Tough
by the troops OF Napoleon |. after crossing
the Great ST. BERNARD in $500. II was on,
OF the bloodiest and iercest ever fought. l,
> disparity Of numbers the resemblance Is ais,
remarkable. Napoleon |. had then onl,
r 10000 men. two thirds o: whom were new
: soldiers, who bad never seen q shot fired
and with these he was TO arrest the desper
ate march OF an army OF 10000 vetera,
Austrians. Ii was necessary for him to di
D vide this little band to save il from beins
= cut to pieces before be could receive rein
torccments. With characteristic rapidit,
be moved from point To point through Lon
hardy with lightning glance his eagle ~
perceived the movements and combination
, II the enemy under Meias. He knew tina
, Q gva, aud decisive battle must soon TAX
place. tor Melas was rapidly coocentratin,
biz army from all points. To lAnnes an
Marat be issued the following brief bat ~
I markabse order;